removing concrete splatter from brick

[adam909]

just had concrete poured earlier this week and wanting to get some of the splater or drag marks that the workers created.. what's the best way..

 

[monkeyswrench]

Stainless wire wheel with light pressure, that's what I've done before.

 

[SixD9R]

You could also try muriatic acid mixed with water. Usually available at Home cheapo and other big box stores. Read the instructions for amount of acid to mix with water. Usually around 16 ounces per gallon of water. One concern though is if would lighten up the new concrete only where the solution gets on it.

 

[jetur]

Muratic acid and a wire brush for the thicker stuff.

 

[FreeBird236]

Pressure washer on a setting that won't etch the brick. Wire wheels and brushes can transfer metal and turn it grey or gray.

 

[snowhammer]

Do not use acid, it will etch your new concrete slab. Your best bet is a rub brick or stone. Any chemical will leech onto your new slab or discolor the brick. A steel wheel may also discolor the brick. https://marshalltown.com/6-x-3-x-1-20-grit-rub-brick

 

[Backlash]

Grinder with a flap wheel works for small areas.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Do not use acid, it will etch your new concrete slab. Your best bet is a rub brick or stone. Any chemical will leech onto your new slab or discolor the brick. A steel wheel may also discolor the brick. https://marshalltown.com/6-x-3-x-1-20-grit-rub-brick

Like a pumice stone type deal?

 

[snowhammer]

Like a pumice stone type deal?

Silicone carbide

 

[NicPaus]

Call the Concrete guy and tell him to fix it.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Bummer. Best of luck with the cleaning. I’d start with the stone and see what it can do then pressure washer and last acid. Keep in mind the if you go acid or pressure washer you could loose patina or color depending on the type of brick you have.

Be sure to protect the concrete no matter which route you take. If not you could create a new problem with the concrete. It is really soft until 28+- days.

It kills me when the surrounding areas are not protected. I have had owners call me to say they have water marks on $200k of aluminum doors and windows only find it was concrete splatter.

Best of luck to you.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Call the Concrete guy and tell him to fix it.

I’d be careful they could screw up more than they fix. They should fix it but do it right this time.

 

[NicPaus]

I’d be careful they could screw up more than they fix. They should fix it but do it right this time.

Yeah depends on who he hired. Might of got the tail gate warranty. Most Concrete guys know the tricks to clean it off right. 30 seconds with a sponge before it dried would of been ideal.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Yeah depends on who he hired. Might of got the tail gate warranty. Most Concrete guys know the tricks to clean it off right. 30 seconds with a sponge before it dried would of been ideal.

Agreed!

 

[LHC Kirby]

I would try in the less visible spot... but in reality Depending on the wall/concrete location.... are you really going to notice next year.... ??

If it cleans up nicely - go for it... but I’m thinking leave it alone.

 

[rrrr]

Silicone carbide

Silicon.

 

[adam909]

what if I scrape it off then wire brush... tested a few areas and it leaves the brick a slight lighter color.. will the color darken back to its original color after time?

 

[DLC]

I’ve had to deal with that before Yours doesn’t look really bad, sometime fixing and trying to remove makes it look worse

Once you touch the brick /block you change the texture of the brick /block surface and that completely changes the appearance, creates a line.
1st try to clean in a non visible /hidden area. You might be able to take a 1/2 wide wood chisel and lightly scratch away the concrete, just dont go to deep, lay down a section of card board on top of the concrete.

Good luck

 

[DLC]

A little duct tape and plastic goes a long way!

Sorry couldn’t resist...

 

[NicPaus]

what if I scrape it off then wire brush... tested a few areas and it leaves the brick a slight lighter color.. will the color darken back to its original color after time?

Try rubbing it with your finger after if stays lighter. Use a little Pepsi soaked in a rag rub it on lighter areas and test in a small area first. Trick for travertine might work with the block.

 

[Your ad here]

That's not splatter. That's cream from the float. Just scrape it with a metal scraper. Why does it look like the concrete was poured under the brick?

 

[adam909]

That's not splatter. That's cream from the float. Just scrape it with a metal scraper. Why does it look like the concrete was poured under the brick?

its not pored under the brick.. I think its from there tool.. it was pored to the line then they came back and smoothed out the edge or rounded the edge with a tool.

 

[NicPaus]

They used a edger where slab meets block. The creme from float is on bottom of the block where the float touched the block.

 

[DLC]

When they floated out they must of had some cream on the ends or floated towards the brick / didn’t rinse off the wood float and it rubber against the brick a radius edge tool is metal and thin gage material

Or

it could have been from when they rodded it - had some build up possibly

 

[rrrr]

It kills me when the surrounding areas are not protected. I have had owners call me to say they have water marks on $200k of aluminum doors and windows only find it was concrete splatter.

It happens all the time. Some 6 mil poly and a few minutes of labor prevents most of it. When high slump mix drops out of a pump nozzle or truck chute, the splatter can travel pretty far.

Regarding the OP's issue, I would try removing the mud with a scraper. A wire brush or wheel won't do much except permanently disfigure the brick.

 

[monkeyswrench]

A little duct tape and plastic goes a long way!

Sorry couldn’t resist...

Add some zipties and you got youself a Friday night

 

[snowhammer]

Silicon.

Yes, should have checked my auto correct, thank you.

 

[rrrr]

Yes, should have checked my auto correct, thank you.

I'm Froggystyle, the spelling asshole, for the day.

 

[snowhammer]

I'm Froggystyle, the spelling asshole, for the day.

All good, it led me to a quick read on the molecular differences between the two.