Cleaning an old Concrete Mixer

Cleaning Out an Old Concrete Mixer

I have just been asked how to clean out a lightly used, second hand concrete mixer without causing damage to the paintwork by use of strong acids.

When it comes to removing old, dried on cement, traditionally there are only two options.

• Knock off with a hammer and chisel
• Dissolve with a strong acid such as Hydrochloric Acid

However a third option has become available

Biostrip ConcreteRemover from FUZE Products

This product, which is designed to remove unwanted cement, concrete and mortar is perfect for removing old cement from mixers.

Instructions for use

Begin by turning on the mixer and allowing it to spin.

1. Add approximately 10 litres of water to the mixer.
2. While it is spinning, gently tap the outside of the drum with a rubber mallet. Take care not to dent the drum. Any loose cement should begin to break up and fall off the wall.
3. After the large chunks are removed, open the release and allow the water and chunks of cement to drain out.
4. Allow the drum to spin again, add approximately 10 – 15 litres of Concrete Remover and continue spinning until the product has coated the insides of the drum.
5. Once the sides of the drum have been coated, switch the mixer off and allow to stand until the concrete has turned into a soft gel.
6. Once the concrete has softened, spin the drum, add 5 to 10 litres of water. Spin for around 5 minutes then open the release and allow the water and softened concrete to drain out.
7. If required repeat steps 4 to 6, otherwise give the drum a good rinse out with water, a hose or pressure washer is useful for this.
8. Allow the mixer to dry.
    

Safe to use around plants and metals, Biostrip Concrete Remover is one of the safest concrete cleaners on the market.

Biostrip Concrete Remover works by safely dissolving the bonds holding the cement/mortar together.  Enabling you to easily remove concrete and mortar from bricks, tile other hard surfaces.

Biostrip Concrete Remover does NOT contain strong Acids such as Hydrochloric or Sulphuric Acid.

You can buy Biostrip Concrete Remover HERE

Why biodegradable is the best way to remove concrete stains

Bringing your decor up to scratch is important in creating a streamlined effect which focuses on detail at every level. Cleaning up after decorating also comes in to the element of making the ideal look for your home.

The removal of cement stains is just as important as removing paint stains from light switches or rust from your garden furniture. It's an easy DIY task that needs to be done in order to achieve a stunning stain free appearance in your home.

A safer alternative for concrete removal

Achieving effective cement removal doesn't need to be a hard task. All the products on the market have their own way of removing unwanted cement stains but not all of them are suitable for all surfaces. Choosing the right product is crucial to avoid any unnecessary extra costs or work.

Many highly acidic formulas such as phosphoric acid are great for efficient removal of concrete but most acids are known to burn the surface underneath. Depending on whether you are working on a varnished surface, brick or masonry the effect can be damaging, making the choice of product so important.

With a biodegradable product like Biostrip Concrete Remover the issue of burning the surface is not a problem. With a solution which is strong enough to break down the bond of cement but gentle enough to not cause harm it is the perfect product to use. Being tough on the cement the solution is designed to be safe to use on any surface whether it is made from mortar, tiles or even granite.

The speed of the process for any concrete removing product varies depending on the thickness of the concrete and other factors such as the temperature of the room. Sometimes needing a second coat the process is simple enough to leave it be and continue working on other jobs whilst waiting. To get faster results it is ideal to conduct the task on a day which is not humid or hot.

Though both products can effectively be left to it, it is safer to leave the biodegradable solution. The toxic alternative solution of phosphoric acid releases toxic fumes and can in some cases cause skin burn for young children or pets. An organic based solution doesn't have the chemicals so it does not release as many fumes. Meaning that for the same results and a safer home the Biostrip Concrete Remover is the best option for safe removal of cement and concrete stains.

 Whatever product you decide to go with it is always worth testing in a small area to begin with just to make sure that your surface isn't affected in anyway by the cleaning process.

If you do choose the safer option  Biostrip Concrete Remover is available to buy now from here.

 

Preparing your new fireplace for the festive season

 

 

 As the evenings are getting longer it becomes more and more attractive to have a stunning fireplace as a centre piece for your living room. Once you have built your new adornment to your home you need to get it ready for the biggest season of the year. Your fireplace is the ideal place to hang family pictures or stockings and for your pets to enjoy snuggling up to.

As well as making your new fireplace look festive and attractive for any visitors who appear throughout the winter you also need to make sure that it safe for your family. Although you may have a couple of patches of concrete left on the base of the fireplace which may not be the end of the world, they are in the reach of children and pets. This means the patches need to be removed.

Keep your fireplace clean with Biostrip.

Any DIY job sounds a lot more hard work than it needs to be, including the removal of concrete spills and patches. In reality the removal of concrete is easy. Using Biostrip Concrete Remover you can quickly remove any unwanted concrete without putting any of your family, or pets, in danger. Being a safe organic acidic solution the Biostrip Concrete Remover can do the job you need in the comfort of your own home.

Using biodegradable products in your home is much safer than using toxic chemical solutions for many reasons. The main reason being it is remarkably safer for you and your family. Contrary to other cement removers on contact with the Biostrip Concrete Remover solution you are not at risk of being burned. The low amount of fumes also means you are safe from inhaling any possible ailments resulting from the solution.

Removing the unwanted cement from your fireplace in this safe fashion also means that you can leave the product to do its work. In addition to working on the cement staining the Biostrip Concrete Remover can also work effectively on rust and oxide staining. Making it the ideal product to come back to when your fireplace needs a clean later on.

Once you have brushed away the cement gel residue you can paint over the surface with ease or tile it over. Depending on whether your fireplace is decoration or a real working fire you can also adorn the base with pinecones to add extra warmth and festivity to your fireplace.

If your fireplace has unwanted cement or mortar you can use Biostrip Concrete Remover to easily clean it away.  Now available to buy just by clicking here.

The dangers to your health when working with cement.

Just like any other substance, cement has its  own selection of health warnings and  links to various ailments. Despite  methods to minimise the effects of cement, you can still be affected.

Though the severity of the ailments depend heavily on the duration you are working with the substance, and your natural state of health, the effects of cement can be felt through physical contact with the substance as well as inhalation.

Burns - Generally associated with wet cement, various degrees of burn can be afflicted on physical contact with cement. Some injuries can result in hospitalization and others can take months to heal. Though protective garments must be work at all times there are always possibilities of the substance seeping through material or falling in to the sides of your boots or gloves. In worst scenario cases third degree burns can be experienced resulting in skin grafts. To help minimise the effects, any clothing or materials which come into contact with cement should be removed as soon as possible.

Allergic reaction - Like many other allergies you may not know you are allergic until you come into contact with the substance. In cases involving cement it is also possible to develop an allergy whilst working with the substance. An allergy to hexavalent chromium is highly common amongst builders and other construction workers. The element is found within cement and can cause skin rashes and ulcers. Inhalation of the substance also results in respiratory problems and can even bring on the development of occupational asthma.

Inhalation - Breathing in any toxic substance is hazardous to your health, cement is not any different. The particles inhaled can cause a variety of different effects. In the short term you can experience irritation of the nose, throat and even have difficulty in breathing. The more long term effects involve the development of silicosis and even lung cancer.

Using protective equipment and garments significantly reduces the severity of some ailments however they do not make you immune to the possibilities. When working at home use all the appropriate protective gear and ensure you have a highly ventilated work area. It is also a recommended idea to ensure that you have no family, pets or pregnant women around when you are working with cement.

Concrete Remover is designed to be a safer alternative to harmful hydrochloric or phosphoric acid based products.  If you have a concrete or mortar spill that you need to clean up you can buy 'Biostrip Concrete Remover' from here. 

How to remove concrete spills with an organic solution

When laying concrete it is almost guaranteed that there will be splashes left around the surface you are working on. With all the options open to you for the effective removal of such a spill,  the safest method is using an organic acid solution. Strong enough to remove cement patches and spills yet gentle enough to pose no threat to you or your family, these products such as  Biostrip Concrete Remover are the ideal solution for cleaning up unwanted cement spills. Being one of the only cement removers to be fully biodegradable this option is the most family friendly.

Easily remove concrete spills.

1.Apply - Using a biodegradable cement remover is easy. Supplied ready to use there is no mixing or preparation required. With a spray or brush, simply apply the liquid formula over the unwanted cement. Once applied, the solution will  begin to break down the bonds within the cement and start converting the residue into a gel.

2.Remove - The amount of time taken to work on the cement patch or spill varies depending on the thickness of the cement. Once it has completed its work you can remove the now gel like residue by scraping, washing or brushing - depending upon the surface being worked on.

3. Dispose - As the solution is fully biodegradable and completely safe to the environment the waste can be put in plastic bags and disposed of with the household waste.

Depending on the thickness of the cement patch you may need a second application following the instructions above.

Biostrip Concrete Remover is available to buy now from here.

Your options in the removal of unwanted concrete spills

Decorating, redecorating and changes to the infrastructure all involve a hands on approach with various tools and substances to achieve the desired effect. Concrete can be used to build new rooms, create outdoor living space or simply for laying paving stones. Although using concrete is a relatively safe process, spillages can happen.

Cleaning up unwanted concrete spills is not such an arduous task as it sounds. There are lots of options on the market for the efficient removal of concrete, some of which you may already have laying around the home. Here's some options you have for effective concrete removal.

Vinegar can sometimes be used to remove Concrete.

Vinegar - Suitable for small patches or thin spreads, the use of vinegar is cheap and it is easy to buy. Vinegar is used because of its highly acidic content, which is perfect for breaking down the bond of the concrete to the surface it has dried on to. The problem with vinegar is that it generally needs a couple of hours to work properly. A long winded but safe approach.

Phosphoric acid - Acids are always dangerous to use so before using  phosphoric acid you need to ensure your working area is sufficiently ventilated. Ultimate care is needed when using this acid as there are many links connecting phosphoric acid to health problems. Being a much stronger acid than vinegar, phosphoric acid is more than suitable for larger concrete spills. Depending on the solution you're using the waiting time will vary, the correct time will be found on the reverse of the product container.

Organic Acids - The safest of the available options are organic acids which are suitable for use anywhere. Indoors, outdoors and around a young family, organic acid based formulas such as  Biostrip Concrete Remover are strong but gentle. Making them efficient at the removal of concrete but gentle enough to pose no threat towards any users. Depending on the thickness of the cement spill the waiting time will vary but once it has worked you will simply be able to brush the concrete away.

With any concrete removal you will need to carefully judge which day you complete the task in order to prevent your chosen solution from evaporating too quickly or being washed away.

Biostrip Concrete Remover is available to buy now from here.