Muriatic Acid Questions involving cleaning concrete...?

Question

First, is muriatic acid safe to use indoors when diluted? I am using it to "etch" my concrete walls. I am hoping to remove the efflorescence so I can use "Drylok" to waterproof the walls.

It says to apply, let it sit, and then rinse it. When I rinse it off the walls, it goes onto the concrete floor. Since it is impossible to get it all off the floor, will it harm the floor?

Any other tips or information for using muriatic acid for this purpose?

Answer 1

you as a home-owner should Not use muriatic acid. Go to a concrete supply house and pick up some Prosoco's Vanatrol or 600 detergent. These are little safer to use & will etch the concrete.
While you're at the concrete supply house...ask the salesmen for either Epro's Eprosil- clear siliconized dampproofing. or United Products WallTite. ( a cementious waterproofing that you can roll or spray.)
Further I ask you , do you know where your water intrusion is coming from? The outside below grade substrate may need treated as well. If this is all too much work, call a waterproofing/restoration company to do the work.

Answer 2

Make sure you have a LOT of ventilation. Muriatic acid is dilute hydrochloric acid and it releases chlorine gas which will kill you.

You can do the walls and by the time you wash them down, it should not hurt the floor (it might make it a bit cleaner actually)

Answer 3

I sure wouldn't recommend it. I've used it to acid wash hundreds of swimming pools and believe me, even in an "open" pool, the fumes are killer! Don't even attempt it indoors. The runoff WILL etch your floors (if they are concrete.) Why not try a milder acid? Sulfamic should do what you are after quite nicely.

Answer 4

Use your Shop-Vac and suck up the excess as you go. Be sure to connect a hose to the exhaust port and stick the end through a window or door opening to ventilate the fumes.

By the way, Dry-Lok is crap.

Look at www.sanitred.com

Answer 5

Rinse when it hits the floor, often, and you should be ok- to much of it will eat the top off the concrete.

Answer 6

put a plastic sheet on the floor seal edges with masking tape wear googles and a dust mask its a really slow process brush the acid on using a scrubbing motion the rinse before it drys

Answer 7

You are using the wrong product. What's on your wall is saltpeter leaching from the concrete. Use flat beer!!

Answer 8

You can use it indoors, be sure to have good ventilation and use rubber gloves and eye protection. It shouldn't hurt the floor, (unless there's carpet on it).

Answer 9

There must be another way. Can you rent a sandblaster from Home Depot?

Answer 10

is it good for removing rust off of concrete