Cleaning Stone Fireplace With Muriatic Acid

Removing efflorescence from stone walls takes a bit of effort and this a good method for anyone with stubborn salt deposits.

Cleaning stone fireplace with muriatic acid.

Dip a second brush into the masonry cleaner mixture then gently apply the brush to the brick. You can beautify and brighten a stone fireplace and add some protection to the stone and mortar by cleaning and sealing it. These fireplaces also can accumulate soot dust and burn marks. If you try cleaning off the mortar while it is still wet it just smears on the stones.

Prepare a diluted solution of your acid based cleaner. Using a pump up sprayer spray a small area no larger than 3 x 3. The stones absorb heat from the fire and radiate it into the room and they can remain hot for some time after the fire is out. It s important to pour the masonry cleaner into the water instead of the other way around to prevent any burns from the acid.

Never use muriatic acid on stone or masonry. Avoid uneven or prolonged contact because etching uneven cleaning or streaking can result. Before cleaning your stone with the muriatic acid test it on an inconspicuous area. Masonry projects that use cement products like mortar concrete and grout can be messy muriatic acid is a sure way to clean masonry surfaces this product is a very strong acid that will clean dried cement products off stones bricks and other masonry surfaces.

Our tutorial on how to clean and prep a stone patio is also super helpful. Dunk a clean soft sponge in the remaining tsp solution then apply it to the entire fireplace surround making sure to wet both the stone and the grout. If etching or discoloration occurs discontinue use. Rinse the stone with water and you re done.

Acid will etch most stone brick masonry surfaces. Let the solution dwell for five minutes. Fill an eyedropper with the mixture and apply one to two drops to the stone. An easy solution is to let the mortar dry and at the end of the project clean the mortar off the wall with muriatic acid.