Norminn wrote:

pipedown wrote:

"Leroy" wrote in message
t...


Oren wrote:


On Fri, 9 May 2008 17:53:15 -0700 (PDT), ransley
wrote:



I am using Muriatic acid which will go into the ground from cleaning a
garage and wonder what hardware or grocery store product I can mix
with water to neutralise run off. Would Baking Soda work?


Soda Ash and water.


Yep. AKA sodium carbonate, available in 5, 10, and 50 lb sizes
at pool supply co. Call around for local price.





While baking soda will neutralize the acid that runs off into the
soil, more than likely soil itself and the concrete you cleaned with
it (assumption) can do the job just as well. Most of the chlorine
comes off as gas and some gets converted into salts. In the long term
its safe but in the short term it will kill bugs and grass

For what gets soaked into the concrete, use ammonia after it dries and
you wash it first. Do this especially if you plan to seal it
particularly acrylic surface sealer (as opposed to a penetrating sealer).

Muriatic is not the best for concrete, it will etch quite well but the
fumes are bad and it can penetrate leaving oily looking spots which
defy cleaning with just water and soap (hence my comment about
sealers). I have to admit it is far cheaper and generally more
aggressive than other products so in general a good choice.



We used muriatic to etch concrete prior to sealing. Just washed off
with plain water, as, I'm sure,
the instructions said we should. This was 2nd floor deck, with concrete
walks, plants, and structural
walls near. No effect on surrounding area. Dilute acid will probably
help the lawn )

Be cautious about using ammonium hydroxide to neutralize hydrochloric
acid. It will do the job, but if there is much HCl you may find all
surfaces covered with a white film...ammonium chloride. This is
harmless, it's called washing soda sometimes, but it makes a mess.

Boden