Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ged on March 01, 2005, 06:48:57 pm

Title: cleaning riven paving
Post by: Ged on March 01, 2005, 06:48:57 pm

Hi
Has anyone got any bright ideas as to how to clean concrete paving slabs,the sort that have a pattern on them. the grime seems to be embedded in the fabric of the slab and won't budge, i suspect a chemical change has taken place and the staining is  not just surface or trapped dirt. I've tried to pressure wash them at 250 bar with a lance and a flat surface cleaner but to no avail. maybe a chemical is needed, i just don't know, maybe yoo doo

cheers 
               Ged

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: Alex on March 01, 2005, 06:55:35 pm

Try and very small area with brick acid leave for 5 minutes or so and then wash off - do you have any pictures?

Alex

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: Ged on March 01, 2005, 08:05:52 pm

Sorry no pics. i've never heard of brick acid but will look into it

ged

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: martin19842 on March 01, 2005, 09:21:23 pm

hi there,

yes try a brick acid 17.5% hyrdrocloric scrubbed in, and then rinsed out, be careful the acid could take the face off the concrete, however if they are already 'beyond repair' then nothing to loose really.

regards

martin

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: Ged on March 02, 2005, 07:45:34 am

Thanks for that Martin, who sells brick acid ? would it be a builders merchant or cleaning materials supplier ....

Ged

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: martin19842 on March 02, 2005, 08:16:16 am

hi there,

both sources, however, cleaning supplies can generally get a hgher concentration if required.

regards

martin

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: Alex on March 03, 2005, 11:00:12 am

Make sure you wear protective equipment as I spilt a little on my finger and it ate my nail - had to go to hospital and get some gel - however, the stuff I use is 33%

Alex

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: martin19842 on March 03, 2005, 07:38:49 pm

hi there,

i just try to avoid the 33% stuff, its a bit horrible.

regards

martin

Title: Re: cleaning riven paving
Post by: Len Gribble on March 03, 2005, 07:53:48 pm

Care when using any type of cleaning agents you may wear ppe the plaints don’t some don’t even in a diluted form.

Len