Concrete solvents: how to clean the surface of the hardened mortar

Recommendation points

• How concrete solvent works
• General characteristics of solvents for concrete
• Description of Concrete Removal Chemicals
• “Lugato” (Lugato Zementschleierentferner)
• “Khimfrez” (“Lepta Khimfrez”)
• BIO DECAP’BETON GUARD
• Barracuda (Barracuda 10K)
• “Home” methods of cleaning dried concrete mortar from surfaces
• Mechanical method
• Chemical method
• Removing dried mortar from carpets and fabrics

After completion of construction work, it is not always possible to clean tools and equipment in time. As a result, areas remain on their surface, covered with hardened cement mortar. You can get rid of this not only mechanically: solvents for concrete will effectively clean the surface.

It is necessary to put in order the spatulas and trowels: otherwise, their appearance and functionality suffer. Special chemicals will help to clean the tool from concrete in a gentle way..

How concrete solvent works

Concrete adheres well to most materials, which is not always good. Accidental contamination of the finish spoils the appearance of the interior, and a dirty tool is often impossible to operate without cleaning.

Concrete solvents are formulated with three main components:

• high concentration acid (necessary for the destruction of concrete);
• inhibitors;
• chemical protection agent for metal.

After being applied to the surface to be cleaned, the acid destroys the concrete, gradually penetrating into its inner layers. A foamy, mushy mass is formed, which can be easily washed off with water or removed with a rag. Thus, you can clean any surface from concrete mortar, put tools or equipment in order..

General characteristics of solvents for concrete

Concrete solvents do not emit toxic volatile compounds. They are fireproof: they do not burn and do not support combustion. Concrete remover can be used to clean painted or varnished surfaces without fear of damage. The odor released by solvents does not irritate the mucous membrane of the human respiratory organs. In case of accidental contact with soil, decomposes over time without harming the environment.

Solvents are packed in spray bottles or cans. They can be ready-to-use or as a concentrate that is diluted with water.

Attention! When working with solvents, precautions should be taken, since you are using organic acids: the room must be ventilated, hands are protected with rubber gloves. In case of contact with the skin, the solvent is washed off with water.

Guidelines for the safe use of solvent:

1. Surface contaminated with concrete is cleaned of large fragments, as well as dust and debris by mechanical means.
2. Concrete thinner is applied with a large brush or sprayed.
3. After a few minutes (the exact time depends on the product and is indicated by the manufacturer on its packaging), it is necessary to wash off the formed foam with a jet of water. If necessary, you can use a metal brush to clean the surface.
4. If all the concrete has not been removed, the procedure should be repeated.

It is recommended to purchase a concrete cleaner in the form of a concentrate, this will make it possible to prepare the solvent in the optimal proportion, depending on the degree of contamination:

• old stains are removed with an undiluted product;
• to clean the fresh cement deposit, prepare a solution in a ratio of 1: 3;
• to remove traces of lime mortar – 1: 5;
• to tidy up construction equipment – 1:10 (it is recommended to add chemical detergents).

Attention! Some surfaces after treatment with a solvent may change their color (this is especially true for low-quality finishing materials), so check the effect of the product on inconspicuous areas.

Description of Concrete Removal Chemicals

Among the numerous assortment of concrete dissolving products, it is worth highlighting the most popular on the Russian market..

“Lugato” (Lugato Zementschleierentferner)

Acid-based cleaner, not suitable for acid-sensitive surfaces. They are not advised to process terrazzo and marble. Lugato is used to remove lime and cement from the surface of plumbing fixtures and unglazed ceramics. Does not harm the appearance of chrome parts. Effectiveness comparable to the dissolving power of hydrochloric acid.

“Khimfrez” (“Lepta Khimfrez”)

The product can be used to clean decorative coatings: due to the absence of acetic, orthophosphoric and hydrochloric acids in the composition, the solvent does not spoil the pattern. Odorless. Promotes the opening of microcracks in brickwork and concrete, which is important for subsequent surface treatment with waterproofing compounds. Eliminates efflorescence.

“Khimfrez” can be combined with manual cleaning, sandblasting. Work can be performed at an air temperature of +5 ° C and above.

BIO DECAP’BETON GUARD

A product that acts as a surface cleaner. It can be used both for daily treatment of equipment and for removing old stains of grout. It is gentle on the environment, as it does not contain dangerous acids in its composition. Decomposes by 90%.

BIO DECAP’BETON GUARD cleans metal, plastic, glass, painted surfaces. Some features of application should be taken into account: it is not miscible with other substances (except water) and is applied only with a spray gun.

Barracuda (Barracuda 10K)

Acid free and safe to use. In addition to cement, it removes scale, efflorescence, limescale, tile adhesive from the contaminated surface. Allowed for processing any materials.

Does not irritate skin and respiratory system. After application, it can be on the surface to be cleaned for a long time. Does not cause corrosion, does not damage paintwork. Environmentally friendly product: completely biodegradable. Can be used multiple times.

Table. Comparative characteristics of cleaners for removing concrete solutions

Purifier brand	Consumption	Composition	Packaging	Storage period	PH level	Price
Lugato Zementschleier Entferner (“Lugato”)	30-100 g / m2 (depending on the degree of pollution)	Amidosulfonic acid	Cans of 1 and 5 kg	No restrictions	1-2	170-180 rubles / l
“Khimfrez” (“Lepta Khimfrez”)	1 l for 3-4 m2 surfaces	Complex acids with surfactants	Cans of 5, 10 l	12 months (warranty)	1-2	150 rub / l
BIO DECAP’BE-TON GUARD	5-8 m2/ l	Synthesized on the basis of an ultra-fine water-based organic molecule	Cans of 5, 25 l	12 months (warranty)	–	28.8 cu e. / kg
Barracuda (Barracuda 10K)	About 10 m2/ l	Synthetic agent	1, 10 l cans or 200 l barrels	Not more than 12 months.	–	633-740 rubles / l

“Home” methods of cleaning dried concrete mortar from surfaces

But in addition to the chemical method of cleaning surfaces from concrete, there are also “home” secrets and tricks for cleaning dried cement mortars.

Mechanical method

You can get rid of the cement with a hammer, chisel, trowel, and sandpaper. Such tools and devices can be used to clean ceramic tiles for reuse..

In this case, it is important to securely fix the tile (for example, by clamping it between two wooden blocks) horizontally, laying it on a flat surface. Apply moderate blows to the chisel set at a slight angle to the surface. Residual cement can be removed with sandpaper.

It is recommended to pre-soak the tiles in water: it will soften the cement and you can get rid of it with a spatula. The glass can be cleaned in the same way..

From the surface of a solid material, cement can also be removed with a grinder, using the minimum disc rotation speed. An attachment in the form of a metal brush for an electric drill can help. When large pieces of cement have been knocked down, you can finish cleaning with sandpaper..

Chemical method

In the absence of special solvents, cement stains on red brick can be removed with sulfuric acid diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. The resulting mixture should be poured into an old cast-iron bath heated over a fire. After boiling, the remaining cement will collapse.

You can also use alkaline solutions from old car batteries to clean masonry. With a rag soaked in the solution, you need to wipe the wall, and after a while – wash off the destroyed cement with water. Hydrochloric acid works similarly..

Removing dried mortar from carpets and fabrics

You can clean clothes or carpet from cement using a stain remover: moisten a sponge with a product, apply it for a while to the contaminated area. When removing large stains, the sponge is moved from the center to the edges of the material. If the cement has already hardened, you should carefully act with tweezers and a knife, after which the thing is washed.

Table vinegar can also be effective: a sponge soaked in it is applied to a spot of cement, and then covered with plastic wrap for a while. This will reduce the evaporation of the vinegar. They act similarly using acetone or alcohol.

At home, you can make a product by mixing 1/4 of the dishwashing liquid with two cups of water. It is recommended to mix the substances in the bottle to obtain a homogeneous mass. The resulting product is applied with a coarse brush or hard toothbrush, after which it is thoroughly washed off.

Concrete solvents save time and effort in cleaning dirty surfaces. With the help of the means indicated in the article, you can get rid of efflorescence on the outer surfaces of the walls of buildings, prepare them for waterproofing.