Concrete splatters on brick

John Orr

John Orr

Member
I have seen other posts where this has been discussed, but I wanted to ask specific questions to see if any of you have direct knowlege of what to do. (I have a call in to the folks at Prosco.)

The concrete (4000 psi) was poured a few months ago and was splattered on the new-construction brick to a height of about 4ft. There are many hundreds (7 buildings) of linear feet involved. Today I tested with 1200 psi to 4000 psi @ 200 deg 40/25/15 deg tips as well as a turbo nozzle...no affect.

Anyone?
 
You might need to get a piece of same colored brick and rub the wall after you spray some sure kleen on it. You could also get a metall scraper and try to scrape it off. The last resort would be to get a brick hammer and try to chip it off carefully without damaging the brick. I know that concrete is hard to come off. It is time consuming. I would bill etxra for it and tell who your washing the brick for to chrage the concrete guys for the extra clean up. I had it once where the concrete guys slopped it around so much on some split face it wouldn't come off. You can take some good whacks on split face block because it doesn't really show and it still wouldn't come off. I clean a lot of brick and I always make sure that I get in ahead of the concrete guys and the E.I.F.S(stucco) guys and clean. That way if the slop it up after I cleaned it they have to pay for it. I have actually got paid twice for doing the same building. Once by the brick layers and once buy the stucco people after they messed it up again. Oh and one last thing never use hot water with sure kleen. It says on the jug not to do that. Not sure exactly what happens but I am not taking any chances.
 
Gunn,

I am actually working with the concrete contractor- the brick masons did a great job. Apparently, he's not going to get paid till this is done...he seems rather in a hurry!

If the only way to get it off is to chip it off...I'm gone! There are 1000's of blobs/smears. It would take forever - not to mention the damage to the brick/mortar.

These buildings are on a military installation and the powers-that-be are anxious to get their people into them.
 
Jon, there are a few chemical cleaners designed to melt the "splash" off of the brick and mortar. These cleaners can affect the mortar joints if you use too much pressure to wash the splashes off, but they are a great alternative to chipping! We offer a strong cleaner for this, and I am sure that other suppliers offer some as well.

I would mask off sections, protecting the concrete that abuts the brickwork. On fresh splashes, you can just run the product through your injector. With old splashes like you describe, I would apply the cleaner directly (spray on) and allow it to dwell for 15 minutes. You might even have to agitate it with a stiff brush before you pressure-clean it. I am afraid you'll have to do a little experimenting before you figure out the best method for this particular project.

Let me know in a follow-up post if this works well for you. Good Luck!
 
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