How To Remove Efflorescence?

The best way to cure efflorescence is an efflorescence concrete cleaner. However, it is also said that efflorescence can be cured with time. Efflorescence is nothing but discolouration on concrete slabs such as ones that you see on the floors of your basement and garage. At times, it makes itself evident on your patio blocks as well. However, it has been seen that with time foot traffic and wear and tear can get rid of these problems as well. At times, these happen on new buildings as well such as on a stucco wall or a brick.


Simple washing
Simple washing can also be effective in this regard as an efflorescence concrete cleaner. In this case, you can use a mild detergent with a stiff brush. At times, only plain water is good enough to get the job done for you. Efflorescence is at its most soluble state when it appears for the first time. Therefore, the sooner you act on this the better it is. If you only wet the film, it can seem like it has gone away. It becomes transparent. You need to use some elbow grease in this regard to finish the job off. It is quite an easy job when it comes to efflorescence cleaning.

Power washing
Yet another technique that you can use in this regard apart from an efflorescence concrete cleaner is power washing. It is effective when it comes to doing away with surface deposits such as efflorescence. Power washing is said to be effective when it comes to removing surface deposits. At times, you can use sprays in this regard as well. However, if they are more intense than you need them to be it may open pores in the brick or concrete. This, in turn, can lead to further development of efflorescence on the same.

Sandblasting
You can also use sandblasting in this regard just as you would use an efflorescence concrete cleaner. The technique itself is effective but you need to be careful about the same. It is an abrasive process and as such, it can end up damaging the surface. This can lead to further development of pores in your mortar and brick. As we all know, this can further help in the development of efflorescence on them. In case you want to go with sandblasting it is better to first seal the surface you are working on.

Chemical cleaning
This can be just as effective in this regard as an efflorescence concrete cleaner. In some cases of efflorescence, you do need to use chemicals for cleaning. In this case, always soak the surface properly with water before you use chemicals to get rid of the efflorescence. This will make sure that the cleaner does not seep into the stone and open the pores further to encourage more growth of efflorescence. It is better to use the proprietary products that you find in the market in this regard. Be careful to follow all the instructions mentioned over there.

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