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The Last Hardscaping Step -- The Acid Washdown

11/23/2012

6 Comments

 
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Prosoco Sure Klean 600 Wash Acid Masonry Cleaner
Like any successful home improvement project, there are many steps to a successful hardscaping project.  As documented in my recent hardscaping series, those steps begin with the planning and product selection and run through the entire installation procedure, ending with the final clean-up.

One of the final steps in any wet-set project is the final acid wash-down, which is what I’d like to focus on for this week’s post.

I won’t get into details on the entire wet-set installation process, as I’ve documented that process in previous posts.  But once the bulk of the installation is complete, there is one final step to achieve the final desired results, and that is the final acid wash.

The wet-set procedure, as previously stated, involves setting the stones atop a concrete slab in a bed of mortar.  And if you’ve ever worked with mortar before you know it can be messy and involves a fair amount of clean-up as the process unfolds.  The stones are set in the mortar bed and the joints between the stones are “pointed”, or filled in with mortar to achieve a continuous surface.

But as the stonework is pointed, a chalky white residue is left behind even after the bulk of the mortar has been cleaned up and finished.  And that chalky residue can seriously detract from the true look and color of the natural stones.

So how does that white residue get cleaned up?  That is where the acid wash-down comes in.

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The Acid Wash Solution is Applied to the Completed Patio
Once the entire patio or walkway is complete, and all the mortar has had time to set for at least a few days we wash down the entire surface of the new installation with a very mild acid wash.  There are a number of acid wash products available, however we like to use Prosoco Sure Kleen 600 Wash.  This is an easy-to-use, relatively mild acid wash that lifts the white chalky residue off the stones and brings out the true look and color of the stones.  

Simply wet down the surface, dilute the solution with water – usually about a 6-to-1 ratio of water to acid, but sometimes slightly stronger depending on the degree of residue – and lightly scrub off the residue.

As the acid solution is applied to the surface you will see some minor bubbling and sudsing as the acid wash reacts with the alkaline film.  As it reacts it lifts the white stains off the stones and can be rinsed off quite easily with one final rinse-down.  Some light scrubbing assists the process along and helps to clean some of the small nooks and crannies of textured stones. But fear not – this is not heavy elbow grease, just some light scrubbing to assist the process along.  Once the entire surface is cleaned and rinsed, and the surface has time to dry you will see a noticeable difference as the true look of the natural stones returns.

A few quick other notes --  the acid wash should not be in lieu of cleaning up the mortar as the stones are installed.  As stated, the 600 wash is a mild cleaner, designed to be environmentally friendly and relatively harmless to adjacent plants or lawns.  But because of its mild formula it won’t remove large mortar chunks that have adhered to the stones or were left uncleaned while the mortar was still soft.  Joints and stones should still be finished appropriately during the installation and sponged off as much as possible.  The wash is simply designed to lift the remaining chalky film.

And yes, other cleaners are available.  For those of you familiar with masonry installation, you may be familiar with the traditional muriatic acid cleaner.  And if you’re familiar with muriatic, then you know it can be nasty stuff.  Many safety precautions need to be taken with muriatic, as it can burn through skin, clothing, and even buckets if not mixed properly.  And the fumes can be quite harmful if not used in a well-ventilated space.

And while some basic safety precautions should still be taken even with the 600 wash, particularly if not diluted properly, it is quite mild and not nearly as hazardous to work with.  And if due diligence was adhered to during the main bulk of the installation, the 600 wash will achieve the desired results.  And you will be ready to enjoy your new hardscaping at its full beauty for years to come!

6 Comments
Mark link
11/27/2014 02:40:06 am

Thanks for the info. Nice article.

Reply
Sup1995
3/9/2019 07:39:54 pm

Hi Clark,

A contractor did a sloppy job on a Bluestone patio installation. The mortar residue was left on the stone and on the joints (he didn't use a clean sponge to wipe off excess while it was wet.), which makes the stone seems to be white instead of the full color Bluetstone. The contractor wash the patio with an acid wash and told me to wait for 30 days for the sun to break it down before he can re-apply the acid wash again. But I thought the longer I wait, the harder it is to clean the mortar residue. So, I have the following questions:

1. Should I wait 30 days?
2. Can I apply the Prosoco Sure Klean 600 now (the patio was completed 3 days ago) or wait for 30 days per the contractor's suggestion?
3. Would applying the Prosoco Sure Klean 600 cleaner damage the stone since the contractor applied the acid wash three days ago? (I don't know what kind, but I guess it was muriatic acid.)

Thank you so much for your help!

Supanee

Reply
go1daypainting link
3/29/2020 12:57:53 am

Home cleaning services we are providing and sharing the more techniques here,thanks for updating with us. This blog has been sharing us about the wonderful creative home building process.

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desksta link
11/1/2020 11:15:43 pm

i am for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to present something back and help others such as you helped me.

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John Wadsworth
11/24/2020 06:39:41 pm

Thank you so much Clark for your information and not giving a long over complicated answer. I have spent a lot of hours going from web site to web site calling home improvement stores and never getting a plain straight answer to my question. I just wanted a simple answer and i have found it here. Thank you so much this was a blessing. Now that I found your site I will always just go here.

Reply
Mia Evans link
10/19/2021 06:31:58 pm

Thanks for pointing out that the final step for the whole installation of the acid brick would be the wash to get the desired results. I will definitely hire professionals who know about this to achieve this for our patio. I hope that the people I will find will be able to finish the job before this month ends. It's because I will have my birthday celebration in our nation next month.

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    Clark Kent Creations, LLC is a full-service landscape construction company servicing the Pennsylvania communities of Delaware County, Chester County, The Main Line, and the University City, Art Museum, and Manayunk/Roxborough neighborhoods of Philadelphia.  In addition to this blog page, additional information regarding the company and our services can be found on the subsequent pages of the site.
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    Author

    Clark Linderman is the president of Clark Kent Creations, LLC, a landscape construction company based in Swarthmore, PA.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.  In addition to his passion for all things outdoors, he counts Michigan football, Phillies baseball, Superman memorabilia, Memphis R&B music, and good craft brews among his many interests.  He currently resides in Swarthmore with his wife, Sheila, two sons, his dog Krypto, and a really, really messy garage full of work supplies and toys.

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    Clark Kent Creations, LLC
    Swarthmore, PA
    Design and Construction to Maximize Your Outdoor Experience

    707-290-9410
    clark@clarkkentcreations.com
    Serving Delaware County, PA

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