Cleaning old bricks?

[LOPen]

Hello,
I have taken down an interior wall and insulated behind it. Can the old bricks be cleaned to be put back in place again?
I think it's super nice with standing handmade solid bricks, so I don't want to put up fake bricks, it's not quite the same....

Best regards,
Lars

 

[Totte_S]

Yes, it's perfectly fine! Remove mortar residues by hand, with a trowel hammer or hammer and chisel. There are probably lots of tricks that others recommend. If the brick was used as a wall before without plaster, you should at least have one clean side.

 

[LOPen]

Hello,
don't the joints become weaker if there are cement residues left?
Can you put the stones in an acid bath to remove the cement film?

 

[douglas72]

I have repointed the outer façade and exposed the brick wall indoors, with hydrochloric acid you can effectively remove lime residues if the brick looks dirty (mix to an appropriate %). It should work as a "bath" too. Certainly worth a try.

 

[snuttjulle]

Where can you find hydrochloric acid as a private person? Pharmacy? Paint store? Or do you have to go to a chemist?

 

[Faidros]

Where can a private person find hydrochloric acid? Pharmacy? Paint store? Or do you have to go to a chemist?

Biltema?

 

[snuttjulle]

I didn't think that far.

 

[Faidros]

I actually have no idea what type of acid is in that kind of tile cleaner, but you can probably buy hydrochloric acid in a regular paint store.

 

[douglas72]

Krauta; Hydrochloric acid Nitor special "for lime and rust removal"