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QUESTION:
I have chosen a brick for my home and I was told that it was a "soft mud molded brick". What does this mean and are there any items that I should make my builder and/or brick mason aware of?
ANSWER:
A "soft mud molded brick" is a brick that has no core holes. These products are manufactured in molds and have sanded faces and ends. The sand is the release agent so the brick will fall out of the mold easily. It is also the source for the very soft and subtle colors that you can only get with a molded brick. Yes, there are several things that you need to make everyone aware of.

The bricklayer should follow correct installation guidelines which include full head joints, proper flashing, tooling mortar joints correctly, etc. Ask your salesperson for further details. Secondly, the proper cleaning techniques must be followed to insure that the sand face of the brick is not damaged. Third, the proper cleaning chemicals must be used. Do Not Use Muriatic Acid. The following recommendations have been field tested with satisfactory results.
PICTURES:

 

 

 

 
SOLUTION:

1. Dilute proper SureKlean Masonry Cleaner. Cleaner is selected based on the mortar color that you have selected.

Mortar Color Cleaner
White Mortar Use SureKlean Vanatrol at a dilution rate of 1 part cleaner to 5 parts water. Always add cleaner to water.
Dark colored Mortars Use SureKlean 101 Lime Solvent at a dilution rate of 1 part cleaner to 5 parts water.
Plain mortar or Light colors Use SureKlean 600 Detergent at a dilution rate of 1 part cleaner to 5 parts water.

SureKlean Masonry Cleaners are manufactured by PROSOCO.

2. Pre wet wall thoroughly (picture 1). Due to the porosity of this product, an area of 6' x 6' is recommended.

3. Apply cleaning solution with a soft bristle brush (picture 2). Allow for a 3 minute dwell time on the 600 and the 101 and 5 minute on the Vanatrol. If wall starts to dry out reapply cleaner solution. Do not let cleaner dry on the wall. Always wash the bottom of the wall first to ensure that the area to be cleaned has been thoroughly moistened.

4. Use a piece of the molded brick to break up any mortar clods on the face of the brick by gently rubbing the brick (see picture 3). Do not use a wire brush or metal scraper of any kind as this will remove the sand coating. Picture 5 illustrates the damage a wire brush can do to molded brick.

5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water (see picture 4). Do not use pressure rinse, the sand coating could be removed by the pressure. Picture 6 is an example of pressure washer damage.
SUPPLIERS:

PROSOCO offers a full line of masonry cleaners.

Contact them at www.prosoco.com or 800-255-4255.

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