how do i clean terracotta pamments

[jonbod]

i have 400 old terracotta pamments (square flooring bricks from norfolk) that are probably from an old workshop or garage floor. they're covered in dirt and grime. i've tried pressure washing them... it doesn't get off all the grime and damages the surface. and i've tried steam cleaning them... which also doesn't seem to work. does anyone have any ideas?

 

[worms]

Dishwasher? (Which is really just the safest/easiest way to do a hot caustic soda wash).

 

[jonbod]

funny you should say that, a friend suggested that too and i asked the builders to save the old dishwasher so i could run 400 pamments through it!

 

[worms]

I would do one first to find out what damage it does to the pamment!

 

[Penners]

Have you thought of trying brick cleaner? Pamments are essentially baked clay, just like bricks, so it might do the job.

But, as with anything, try one as a test first.

Here's one that I found (but I have no personal experience of it): http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9298488

I've also heard that Cillit Bang Universal Power Cleaning Crystals are good for this kind of thing. They're an oxygen-based bleach with (I believe) surfactants, so should do the job.

But, once again, test first.

 

[Delta]

When you test a pamment, make sure you leave it to dry thoroughly. Sometimes all the heavy cleaning is great... until they dry and the salts start coming out. Obviously it depends, but a problem we had with some old quarry tiles.

 

[rebeccac]

In Italy you can buy hydrolic (think thats rght) acid for cleaning off lime/cement and other marks but I'm not sure its on sale here?I use a plastic brillo pad either dry or with soap flakes dissolved in water to get most marks off then a small wire brush for hardened stuff.

 

[Flyfisher]

'Brick cleaner' is, I believe, based on hydrochloric acid and is widely available in the UK. Any builder's merchant should have some.

Might be worth a try but results will depend on the type of discolouration. As ever, try a small sample area first before splashing it all over.

 

[rebeccac]

Didnt know that!

As i said I find old grime shifts best with plenty of elbow grease! If you can arrange a brick cleaning party all the better.I don't think that soaking or pressure washing is going to really shift this stuff.