Help with acid washing a stone floor

[apc9000]

Hi guys

Recently moved in to a half renovated house. The ground floor has Liscannor natural stone laid throughout. The person that laid it (not me I might add!!) has left loads of plaster stains and mortar stains all over the place.

Ive done a bit of research into cleaning them, muriatric acid, commercial cleaning acids etc but the problem is they all assume the stone is outside and advise that I'll need massive amounts of water to rinse the stone when ive finished, ie a hose.

Obviousely this isnt a good idea as it is not outside and the water has no where to go. All reccomendations say the acids must be throroughly washed up after application.

Has anyone any experience using these acids/recomend a certain type? Can it be done without the need of hosing down when finished as long as I rinse and mop thoroughly?? Is there an easier way of doing this, such as machines, or even a specialist company??

I did ask the quarry where it was from, but to be honest id have been better off asking the dog!!

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The problem with acid washing Liscannor, is it can have an effect that leaves the stone a rusty orange, I have even seen them stain black. This can vary from stone to stone, but I would suggest it is a method best avoided.
Saying that, it is best to rinse wash the stone after application of acid and ventilation from fumes will also be an issue.
It could be worth sourcing a water based solvent or the magic soapy water and scrubbing brush trick.
If you do decide to acid wash, the stone must have removed any residue of acid or again it will stain.
Water will dilute muriatic acid but residue may still be left.
To neutralize the acid, use something like bicarbonate of soda, baking soda, soda ash, or hydrated
lime.
When using acid, It would always be best, to test it out on a small patch or some left over stone, but I would stay clear of it.

 

[apc9000]

Thanks for that Prentice. Not too keen on using the stuff myself but stains are quite bad. Will try and find water based stuff and give it a go.

Thanks again for the advice

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

No problem!

 

[andyb30]

http://www.stonecareuk.co.uk/catego...atural-Stone&gclid=COWQtNC00KQCFSL92AodvGjicg

Try these people,they do all sorts.i its not on the site give them a ring.

 

[JohnD]

as it is indoors, with plaster and mortar splashes, I would be thinking about getting it off with an abrasive pad. Plaster comes off easily with a wet, green nylon kitchen scourer, and so does mortar though it might be easier dry, especially if it is thin or was not kept damp long enough to cure very hard.

If doing it by hand works, you can hire a floor-polishing machine and they also take abrasive pads, presumably for stone floors.

watch out for the mortar scratching your stone though.