How To Remove Mortar From Within Brick?

Dried-on mortar over the face of bricks can ruin the appearance of a wall and is unsightly. To clean bricks, prevent mortar splatter during wall construction and use a simple and safe method to wipe away wet mortar before it dries. Muriatic acid is sold in hardware stores and can be used to restore the beauty of masonry work.

To clean bricks after any building project, follow these steps:

1. Give the mortar at least a week to set before using a chisel.
2. Drench the brick with water to prevent damage to the brickwork. Put on safety goggles to protect yourself.
3. Use a wire brush to scrub the bricks, then apply hydrochloric acid with a paintbrush.
4. Use a fiber brush to manually scrape the mortar from areas that need cleaning, making sure no metal comes into contact with the cleaning solution. Mix 1 part Prosoco Sure Klean 600 concentrate with 6 parts water, ensuring no metal comes into contact with the cleaning solution.
5. Hose the brick down with water, spray diluted muriatic acid on it, and scrape the brick with a metal scraper for the bigger stuff.
6. Remove dry mortar with a chisel by wetting down the brick with a garden hose and tapping the chisel parallel to the brick to remove excess mortar.
7. Use Muriatic Acid, diluted at a 1:10 ratio with water, always pouring it into the water, never the other way around.
8. Place water across the mortar to dampen it slightly. Vinegar, a weak acid, can also be used effectively for removing mortar stains.