Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Neil Jones on October 04, 2012, 08:07:46 pm

Title: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Neil Jones on October 04, 2012, 08:07:46 pm: I have a customer who has tried to cement the cracks on her paving slabs, it rained and has run and set all over her drive. I clean the odd the drive but apart from oil have never come across something this difficult to remove.

Could the more experienced guys direct to a product or a way of removing this. I managed to clean a small bit of with just the hot wash but it would take days if I had to do it all this way, acid cleaner won't touch it either.

Any help massively appreciated.
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Griffus on October 04, 2012, 10:22:14 pm: Depends what the slabs are but if the slabs can take it you could try a heavy duty floor scraper to get the majority off then a strong acid wash for the remainder.
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Matt Gibson on October 04, 2012, 10:49:30 pm: Hydrochlorich acid and a turbo nozzle. but as ian said, MAKE SURE the paving slabs can handle it.

Do a small test with the acid to make sure it doesnt affect the slabs and watch what your doing with the turbo nozzle. or else sub it out.
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Neil Jones on October 05, 2012, 03:31:39 pm: Cheers guys, I tried the acid it wasn't touching it. I don't reckon the slabs could take a turbo nozzle either. Tbh I was hoping there may be an easier way but kinda knew there wouldn't be and it would be conventional cleaning. The customer wasn't hoping to pay a lot by the sound of it and it will take me ages so think I'll ring her and tell her it would be a day rate maybe more which I'm almost certain she will pass on.

Thanks for the help
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Blast Away on October 05, 2012, 04:56:35 pm: What was the acid you used?

What nozzle did you use?

Have you got a wet blasting nozzle to use for sand and water?
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Neil Jones on October 05, 2012, 08:58:50 pm: I used hydrochloric acid neat on a small section and left it to dwell may 3-5 minutes. I didn't try the turbo nozzle just a standard jet, but It just didn't shift. In some parts the cement is really thick so I think I'm just going to avoid because she won't pay what I quote.
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Neil Jones on October 05, 2012, 08:59:34 pm: Not got a wet blasting nozzle, would this be something that might work?
Title: Re: Cement of paving slabs
Post by: Richy L on October 06, 2012, 03:30:19 pm: I find when you have applied the acid you need to tap it lightly with a hammer sometimes. I have done this on brickwork to get the snots off. But be careful not to hit the slabs hard enough to break them.