Concrete dissolvers or cleaners are chemical solutions designed for one simple purpose, which is breaking down and removing hardened concrete materials from surfaces like equipment and tools used for handling or carrying out construction work.
They’re typically used when it’s impossible or less than ideal to use mechanical means like scraping, scrubbing or chipping.
Concrete dissolvers work by chemically reacting with the calcium compounds in the hardened concrete, which causes it to break down, making it possible to wash off, leaving the surface clean and free of any residue.
What are Concrete Dissolvers Made of?
They usually contain acids like hydrochloric and phosphoric acid, along with other chemicals that makes it more effective and safe for handling and for the equipment they’re used for.
Because they’re made up of these chemicals, it’s important to follow instructions and guidelines from the manufacturer as they can be corrosive and requires the use of personal protective equipment like gloves, goggles, and other protective clothing.
Concrete dissolvers are commonly used in construction, renovation, and maintenance projects, such as removing excess or spilled concrete from surfaces, cleaning mixers, trucks and other equipment used in construction.
They provide a convenient and efficient method for cleaning or removing hardened concrete without the need for labor-intensive mechanical processes.
Types of Concrete Dissolvers
There are several types available on the market, each with its own formulation and specific applications. Here are some common types you can use for your projects.
Acid-based Concrete Dissolvers
These contain strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid, which chemically react with the calcium compounds in the concrete mixture, breaking it down and making it easy to watch off easily. They’re are typically effective for removing thick or hardened deposits in equipment.
Acid-based dissolvers are commonly used for cleaning and restoring concrete surfaces, such as driveways, walkways, or patios.
They can be used to clean tools, equipment, and surfaces that have been affected by cement or mortar splatter or spills.
They can also be used to prepare surfaces for coatings, sealants, or other surface treatments. By removing any existing coatings, adhesives, or surface contaminants, they create a clean and suitable substrate for the application of new materials.
It’s important to note that can be corrosive and require proper safety precautions, such as wearing protective clothing, gloves, and eyewear.
Biodegradable dissolvers
These dissolvers are formulated with environmentally friendly ingredients that break down the concrete without the use of harsh acids. They are often water-based and can be less corrosive than acid-based types. This means they’re not toxic, are much safer to use and will break down on their own without any help.
They are suitable for use on sensitive surfaces that may be susceptible to damage or discoloration when exposed to harsh chemicals, such as decorative and concrete, natural stone, or delicate materials.
Since they are formulated with environmentally friendly ingredients, they’re also often preferred for indoor concrete remover projects, especially in residential areas and homes, reducing the risk of harmful fumes or odors.
Gel-based dissolvers
These are used due to their adhering properties. Unlike liquid disolvers, they’re designed to adhere to vertical and overhead surfaces like walls and ceilings, allowing for longer contact time and better penetration.
The thick gel consistency allows it to adhere to the surface without dripping or running off, providing extended contact time for effective penetration and dissolution of the hardened residue.
When dealing with hard-to-reach areas, such as tight corners, crevices, or intricate designs, gel-based dissolvers can also be applied precisely and remain in place to work on the concrete.
The gel formulation ensures better control and targeted application, making it easier in intricate or difficult-to-access spaces.
Surface-friendly dissolvers
Surface friend concrete dissolvers are designed to be used on sensitive surfaces, such as painted or coated walls, to prevent the paint or coating from getting damaged or discolored in any way.
They effectively remove the hardened material without affecting the paint or coating on the surface.
High Pressure Water Dissolvers
This involves using water jets at high pressures to physically break down and remove the concrete. This method is often used for large-scale projects or in situations where chemical dissolvers may not be suitable.
Whatever type you choose, it’s important to consider factors such as the type and thickness of the hardened residue that needs to be remove, the surface material, how safe it is to handle and the environmental impact of the dissolver you choose.
When to Use Concrete Dissolvers
They are typically used in the following situations:
Equipment maintenance
Their primary application is for maintaining and cleaning equipment, such as ready mix concrete tanks, pumps, mixers, scaffolding, or forms.
After using these equipment, it’s very likely that there’ll be hardened concrete residues in them. Cleaning with water only will not remove every bit of these hardened residues, and may lead to continuous buildup which can damage the tools and equipment in the long run.
Using a dissolver will remove every hardened residue in them, ensuring proper equipment functionality as long as you use them.
Removing concrete stains or deposits on surfaces
During home renovation or remodeling projects where concrete is used on floors, driveways, patios, walkways and even countertops, it’s likely that there’ll be leftover concrete stains on these surfaces.
You can scrub them off, but it will take a long time to scrub every bit of these surfaces and you might even end up damaging the surface during the process of scrubbing and scraping.
Using a dissolver, you can avoid this scrubbing and scraping, and even save time. It will melt and disintegrate all the hardened concrete on these surfaces, making them easy to wash off.
Disadvantages of using concrete dissolvers
While concrete dissolvers can be effective, there are some drawbacks associated with their use.
They can be bad for the environment
Many concrete dissolvers contain harmful chemicals, such as acids, that can have adverse effects on the environment if not properly handled or disposed of.
They can pollute water bodies such as lakes, rivers and even groundwater if they’re not disposed off properly after use.
Spills or runoffs can even contaminate the soil, affecting soil quality and potentially harming plant life. It can seep into the soil around a construction site causing long-term damage to sil fertility and microbial activity.
They can also pollute the air, especially when used in residential areas, releasing fumes, or volatile organic compounds, which can be harmful to human health when inhaled or come in contact with the skin.
To mitigate the negative environmental effects of concrete dissolvers, it is important that contractors and builders choose only environmentally friendly or biodegradable dissolvers when possible.
They should also ensure to use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended safety practices.
Minimize spills, overspray, or runoff by applying the dissolvers carefully and containing the work area.
Properly dispose them off and rinse with water according to local regulations and guidelines.
They should also consider alternative methods of concrete removal or cleaning that have lesser environmental impact, such as mechanical methods or eco-friendly cleaning agents.
Doing this will minimize their environmental impact and protect the ecosystem.
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