How to Clean Creosote Off Cinder Blocks

Cinder blocks, similar to cement or stone surfaces, have a tendency to absorb stains quickly. When creosote is spilled on your cinder block surface, simply wiping it off won't suffice. The sticky substance is created when tar is put through a distillation process and is often used around chimneys and on roofing materials. To thoroughly clean creosote off your cinder block surface you must draw the substance off and out of the cement.

Rubber gloves
2 cups powdered talc
Ceramic bowl
Benzene
Wooden paint stirrer
Hose
Plastic scraper
Nonmetallic scrub brush
Bucket
1 tablespoon dishwashing detergent

Instructions

- 1
  Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from chemicals. Pour 2 cups of powdered talc into a ceramic bowl.
- 2
  Add enough benzene to create a peanut-butter-like paste. Stir the mixture with a wooden paint stirrer.
- 3
  Wet the cinder blocks with water from the hose to prepare the surface and help draw out absorbed creosote.
- 4
  Smooth the the poultice of talc and benzene paste over the creosote stains to a thickness of about 1 inch. Spread the poultice beyond the perimeter of the stain. Leave the poultice on the cinder block surface until it is completely dry to allow it to absorb and remove the creosote.
- 5
  Remove the dried paste with a plastic scraper. Brush paste residue off with a nonmetallic scrub brush.
- 6
  Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water. Mix in 1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent.
- 7
  Scrub the surface of the cinder blocks with the scrub brush and detergent solution to clean it. Rinse the cinder blocks with water from the hose. Allow the surface to air dry.

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