Masonry Magazine February 1997 Page. 21
Abolishing the Use of Muriatic Acid
If you ask Scott Buscher, ProSoCo Inc.'s National Sales Manager, what his primary mission is, he'll answer without hesitation.
"Replacing raw muriatic acid with Sure Klean products to clean brick."
Most commercial specifiers go out of their way to prevent the use of raw muriatic acid. They have learned that the masonry clean-down has a tremendous impact on the final appearance of their brick projects. After taking a project from concept to reality, few are willing to leave its final appearance to chance. As a result, Sure Klean® products have become the standard in commercial masonry cleaning.
When it comes to cleaning residential brickwork, however, Sure Klean products are not as widely used.
Most brick manufacturers include warnings against use of muriatic acid on their brick cubes. Many recommend the appropriate Sure Klean product. Without supervision on residential building sites, however, the cleaning contractor is free to use whatever he chooses.
"The fact is, a gallon of muriatic acid costs a little less than a gallon of Sure Klean," Buscher said. "The irony is that most houses can be cleaned down with just a couple of gallons. While they are saving a few pennies in material cost, they're exposing themselves to a more hazardous material, increasing their labor and increasing the likelihood of a callback. I've been involved in jobs where the entire veneer of all-brick houses has been torn down and replaced because of damage caused by muriatic acid," Buscher said.
For years, ProSoCo's technical representatives have been called upon by brick manufacturers to solve problems created by the use of muriatic acid on residential brickwork.
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The cost to correct discolored brick and remove acid burn using one of ProSoCo's specialty stain removers more than outweighs the cost difference between Sure Klean products and raw acid. Still, muriatic acid remains in wide use.
"For a long time it seemed the residential brick market was just more tolerant of poor cleaning practices. Thankfully, that seems to be changing."
Whether it's a custom or a spec home, today's home buyer has higher expectations. Someone spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new home expects it to look good. They are not going to accept brick that turn green, stonework that looks rusty, or sandy mortar joints that change colors every few feet.
"We've developed flyers that identify and explain the cause, cure and prevention of most common brick staining. We've emphasized improved safety and superior packaging and labeling provided by ProSoCo. But more than anything else, we've done a lot of cleaning demonstrations. Given the opportunity to show the improved cleaning effectiveness and reduced labor cost of Sure Klean products vs. muriatic acid, most cleaning contractors are receptive to making the change," Buscher concluded.
When it comes to cleaning commercial brickwork, most people are aware of the advantage of picking Sure Klean products over the alternatives. ProSoCo's goal is to expand that awareness to include a larger segment of the residential brick market.
For more information call ProCo's Customer Services at 1-800-255-4255.
When it's time to clean the brick, don't leave the final appearance to chance.
Be Sure.
SURE KLEAN
New Construction Cleaners
Masonry Stain Removers
ProSoCo, Inc.
1-800-255-4255
MASONRY- JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1997 19