Etching A Concrete Floor With Muratic Acid

It is inexpensive and a dangerous chemical that can damage almost anything it comes in contact with.

Etching a concrete floor with muratic acid.

The object of etching the concrete with muriatic acid and water is to have the liquid come into contact with the substrate. Muriatic hydrochloric acid is. Acid etching is the process of applying hydrochloric muriatic or buffered phosphoric acid to a slab then rinsing it off with water. Some homeowners shy away from acid etching of their concrete floors for fear of the harmful effects of using and handling muriatic acid the main component of acid etch flooring.

You can also use acid in weaker concentrations to remove white mineral deposits efflorescence and heavy grime. Acids concentrations can very. Always add the acid to the water never the other way around or you can cause a heat reaction which can make the solution burp up out of the container. Acids that can be used to etch the concrete are muriatic sulfamic phosphoric or citric.

The most commonly used are muriatic hydrochloric and phosphoric acids. It also reduces the surface alkalinity of the concrete that can cause some paints to adhere poorly. If the substrate is sealed with a paint the liquid cannot reach the intended target. The good thing is that there are safer alternatives that are just as effective available in the market today.

Acid washing also known as acid etching prepares a concrete surface to accept a sealer. You roughen such a floor by etching it with muriatic acid. Muriatic acid must be diluted with water before use. Muriatic acid acts like liquid sandpaper by roughening the surface of the concrete.

Acid washing is dangerous for people plants and metal objects especially indoors where fumes can concentrate. Muriactic acid is one of the most dangerous chemicals you can buy for home use and it can damage nearly everything it touches. Check with the wastewater management agency in your community to see if there are restrictions on disposal of acid solutions in the drainage system in your locale. A smooth concrete floor must be roughened before paint will stick to it.

If you need a stronger solution mix 1 part acid to 10 parts water. The easiest dilution to remember is 1 cup of acid to 1 gallon of water. Muriatic acid also known as hydrochloric acid is the typical acid of choice when etching concrete.