Cleaning Efflorescence From Concrete Floor
The technique part of a three year restoration project that began in 2011.
Cleaning efflorescence from concrete floor. The efflorescence can be happening when moisture starts to react with concrete causing some white stains in the concrete. As the trend to have exposed concrete floors grows the industry is struggling with the problem of unsightly efflorescence especially when it is trapped under a film forming sealer. When moisture and water vapor migrate to the surface of hardened concrete floors walls and colored concrete it carries with it calcium hydroxide. To clean efflorescence off brick it is crucial to complete this task in warm dry weather.
Art restorers in valencia spain were able to erase efflorescence from 17th century frescoes by antonio palomino in the church of santos juanes by using special bacteria selected to eat the salts and glue residue on the art. Luckily there are easy ways to remove efflorescence in your home. Efflorescence occurs when salt and moisture come to the surface of concrete bricks or stone and then evaporate leaving unsightly white marks on your walls or floors. Concrete efflorescence has a habit of reappearing which means that you may need to repeat the cleaning process several days to several weeks after initially carrying it out.
Concrete efflorescence is a very common problem on concrete especially decorative concrete. Certain forms of efflorescence are considerably difficult to remove and chemical agents. It is produced due to low temperatures moist conditions condensation rain dew and water added to the surface of fresh concrete to assist troweling. Causes of the efflorescence in concrete.
The concrete was placed colored and stamped shortly before winter. We are hearing more about efflorescence related issues because of the popularity of stained floors. With any luck the efflorescence will stay away long term after enough cleanings have been performed. The extended period of water movement through the concrete to the surface brought chemicals to the surface where they combined with carbon dioxide from the air to produce calcium carbonate the white chemical you see in this photo.
How to remove efflorescence from a concrete floor. Removing efflorescence from a new patio is a breeze compared to cleaning a 400 year old fresco. At this point moisture may bring additional salts to the surface of brick and the salts can be removed by dry brushing. Efflorescence is white powdery material formed on concrete floor surface when soluble salts migrate to the surface of concrete.
Efflorescence is a fact of life with most concrete. Clear water repellents silicone and acrylic coatings also may help you remove efflorescence as well. These surfaces allow water to travel within the surface. The white powder that builds on concrete walls and floors is a soluble salt called efflorescence and is a result of water that has seeped through concrete and evaporated.