There are basically two ways in which you can get cement off pavers: you either work fast and clean it while it is still wet, or wait for a while and clean it after it dries.
Cement can get real messy real fast if you’re not careful. Being mortar or concrete, a big cement accident can ruin a patio, sometimes for life.
But there is a few techniques you can apply to clean small splatters of cement. These techniques, as mentioned above, depend on the time frame of the accident.
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How to get cement off pavers: acting fast
That technique can be applied in all kinds of pavers, although the concrete ones are the relatively easiest to clean. If you act fast and follow theses steps, you should be able to get your pavers back in good shape.
- Scrape up the cement while it’s still wet
Attention! Never try to clean cement using towels or rags, specially on a brick paver, as that will only smear it even more. That’s why we always recommend scrapping the cement using a plastic scrapper. - Wiping the cement
With the excess cement scrapped up, now you can use a slightly wet cotton rag to wipe the splatter. If you act fast enough, you can fix the accident right away, getting rid of all the cement off your paver. - Laundry detergent
If your paver still has some bits of cement by then, you should wait until it dries completely. That may take a while, depending of the type of cement you’re working with.
Add water to a little bit of powdered laundry detergent until it forms a thick paste. After the cement finishes drying, wet the area and apply this paste using a soft brush. Scrub the cement using this paste and clean it with water afterwards. Repeat the process until the cement is all gone.
How to get cement off pavers if it’s already dry?
Now, if you didn’t act fast enough to apply the above solution and have to work with a lump of mortar or concrete, is time to bring the big guns. If you need to clean cement out of a freshly installed paver, make sure to wait at least two weeks before following the following steps.
- Chisel and rubber hammer
First of all, make sure to wear eye protection for this. Position the chisel against the concrete and tap it with the rubber mallet. Be very careful not to hit the paver itself with the chisel, as that can crack it.
That may take a while depending on the amount of cement you need to clean, but it’s important that you take your time and do it gently to not end up damaging the paver for good. - Muriatic acid
After breaking the chunk of concrete with the chisel, wet the area. Add 1 gallon of water in a plastic bucket and pour very carefully 1 cup of muriatic acid into it. Wait about 15 minutes for the solution to set and then, using a paintbrush, apply it to the concrete.
If it works properly, it will start bubbling. The acid will break down the concrete and allow it to be removed. Again, make sure all the pavers where the acid may split will be very wet, as the muriatic acid can stain the pavers that are not properly wet. - Scrub the broken down concrete
After waiting for a while, scrub the concrete. You may have to apply the muriatic acid solution several times before getting rid of all the cement. - Clean the paver with water
Once you finished, rinse the paver with water. Be mindful that the acid will kill any vegetation it encounters, so be careful.
Disclaimer
Muriatic acid is a powerful chemical that requires extreme care to be handled. Always wear rubber gloves when working with it and never wear it without diluting it into water first. Always add the acid into water, never the other way around.
Make sure to always follow the instructions on the label and get in contact with your paver supplier to check if the acid will not stain the paver.
Some accidents cannot be fixed
Sad, but true. Sometimes your cement accident will be too big to handle by yourself and instead of asking “how to get cement off pavers?” you should ask yourself “how do I replace my damaged pavers?”.
Well, if it comes to that, make sure to always ask for the help of professionals with proper tools and techniques. If you’re in the Sarasota area, you can find these professionals at JS Brick.
Give them a call at +1 941 586 9140 or contact them here for a free estimate on your project.
