thin set

goggles.. gloves...

muriatic acid, and a very stiff bristly brush....

good luck!

if it's piled up anywhere..

...I'd knock down any high spots with an angle grinder first..

an abrasive disc 1st... then then a wire cup steel brush.

But ensure the hydrochloric (muriatic) acid is VERY dilute, or it will take away the pavers as well! In fact, try some vinegar or lemon juice first, that may be acidic enough. Or a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) in water. Goggles and rubber gloves, possibly a rubber apron as well, with any/all chemicals.

If it'll take the thinset off, think what it'd do for skin!!!

Is there anything else I can do to remove the droppings of it on the bricks?

Yes, pick up your telephone, call the contractor and gently ask him to get his @#$% out and clean your pavers. He will begrudgingly send some snot-nosed punk with a hangover and an attitude who will mix up a solution of the wrong chemicals and do a half-assed job, after which he will rinse it off with water which will run into and kill some of your grass and shrubs. You will then follow the advice of JE in Chicago and do it yourself.

If the pavers were dry when the thinset fell on them it should chip off without muriatic acid.

Check at rental center for a "needle gun", is a heavy duty paint/coating chipper, attach to hose from air compressor and set to low while pushing the pins against the thinset and gently pull trigger. The thinset should disintegrate leaving the paver intact, try on a test piece first

Guest,

In addition to the other comments, many thin set mixes have a latex additive which makes it less easy to remove with acid. Try methanol or possibly some acetone or methyl-ethyl-ketone. All of these dissolve the latex, so any residue left after chipping or other mechanical means should come off.

--John

So, try to find out what was IN the stuff first, eh?!?

Know before you go

If your only worried about a small area, remove and replace the offending pavers. If you don't have the tool to pull them out (rental store), get a couple of Tapcon screws and screw them in and wrap a wire around them to make a pull handle. Or drill a series of holes and crack the pavers into smaller chunks.

Try to pull one intact then take it to your local Pavers-R-Us to match it. Searching to find the exact replacement could take some hunting. If you can, contact the installer to find his supplier.

Not what the initial question was, but here's a way to remove thinset from face of ceramic tile.

First slice off as much as possible the dried thinset with a razor blade scraper; second, I've very successfully used Earth Choice's Shower Control Organic Acid Cleaner, scrubbing with the rough side of a kitchen sponge then wiping off with paper towels. You should use rubber gloves, as it is not good for the hands; however, it is virtually odorless. I purchased it in a spray bottle at an organic food store.