Watch the fumes from that muriatic acid and don’t spill it on anything you like. T.S.P. is a bit less hazardous IMO. [tup]
Yeah, I know it’s hazardous. Will TSP etch the concrete like muriatic acid does? I haven’t seen any TSP in the stores lately. Only TSP substitute. Guess they’re phasing it out like bleach.
Try a “paint store” if you can,t find it at a big box hardware store. The acid is supposed to be washed off. So say the instructions on the bottles I used. In a garage when your washing it off make sure the driveway is wet first and use lots of water to dilute the runoff. It will leave "bleach " streaks in the driveway. I guess in a basement you could let it dry up but I recommend all the fresh air you can get down threre till the fumes go away.
Here’s a tip.
Generaly if you go to a paint store and ask advice they will tell you what works and what doesn,t. They deal with these products all day long and need their contractors make their customers happy. Generaly a Home Depot employee is a kid that couldn,t find his way home after work. Now I say “Generaly” . I,m sure there are employees in those companys that are experianced in their field. I havn,t found any yet. remember, they deal wit the homeowner/do it your selfer. A paint store deals with contractors that a homeowner hires to do a job right. (they hope) at least thats the therory. what ever you decide to do… CLEAN THE FLOOR!! This fact cannot be stessed enough. You will be very pleased with the results.
TSP can also be used as a masonry cleaner. However, if efflorescence or mortar staining are severe, you may need to resort to a more powerful but dangerous product, muriatic acid.
Just remember your ventilation! I imagine TSP is getting harder to find because of the effect phosphates have on the environment. I happen to have a box of it on hand. [tup]
Ultimately it’s your choice, but everything I have seen advises against using Muriatic Acid indoors!
I have to use muriatic acid with our swimming pool and it is nasty stuff. If you can avoid it, do so. I found TSP recently at both Home Depot and Lowe’s.
John Timm
I worked for Home Despot (not a typo) for 9 years after I retired frrom my profession as a carpenter/cabinetmaker. In 1999, when I started, I was in a new store, and every departmenthad at least 1 or 2 “old guys” like myself who could actually help a customer - just not point them down an aisle - that is when you can find one now!! I was in hardware when I started, and we had 27 full-time employees in the department, including 4 other guys with construction experience. Today that same store/department has 12 employees - ONLY 2 OF THEM FULL TIME!! I worked at the Pro Desk/Contractor’s desk for 4 years and as a millwork specialist for 4 years. During the 6 months since I was “layed off”, I know of at least 8 others like myself, who were over 50 and using the medical insurance on a regular basis - and being paid over the minimum wake - is there something funny there? As spectratone said, go to a good hardware or paint store!![:-,]