Efflorescence Stain

Are you seeing white or grayish streaks on your concrete surfaces? Ever wonder what they are and what causes them? These streaks are caused by something called efflorescence.

Concrete efflorescence is a phenomenon that essentially leaves behind salt deposits on a surface after rain or snow. But actually any kind of moisture can cause concrete efflorescence.

That’s because all efflorescence needs to form is water-soluble salt content (which can be found in most water), some source of moisture and a surface on which to dissolve. This is why concrete efflorescence is so common. So common in fact that it can happen indoors too.In any case, efflorescence needs special treatment to remove because it is a crystalline substance that can harden and become very much adhered to concrete surfaces. But efflorescence doesn’t just affect concrete. It can appear on brick work, stone, stucco and many other materials.Wherever it appears, efflorescence just looks ugly. It can really bring down the looks of your driveway, hardscapes, pavers, walkways and more. But what causes it? Take a look at some of the most common causes of efflorescence:

• Seasonal Climate – Winter is when efflorescence is most likely to occur since rain and snow abounds at this time of the year. But because soluble salts are also present in humidity, it can form in spring and summer. In any case, seasonal moisture of virtually any kind is a common cause of efflorescence.
• Groundwater – You see concrete efflorescence on patios, driveways, garage floors and other concrete structures a lot because of groundwater. When a concrete structure is installed over the ground, moisture in the earth slowly wicks upward towards the surface where it evaporates and leaves stains.
• Masonry Materials – You may see efflorescence form in brand new hardscape structures. This is usually because the masonry materials used to build the structure were left out during construction, uncovered. When masonry materials (even new ones) aren’t properly covered, moisture can easily permeate and form efflorescence.
• Improper Ventilation – For garages, sheds and other semi-indoor structures, efflorescence may form because masonry was used during construction without proper ventilation.

Contact Us!

There are other causes of concrete efflorescence to be sure, but these are the most common. So how can you get rid of it?You can have your efflorescence stains easily removed with our help. We are Century Painting and we know how to get rid of efflorescence stains. We use F9 cleaning products which are the most effective for dealing with efflorescence deposits. Our fully-trained and certified team will carefully assess your efflorescence stains and masterfully apply an F9 solution to dissolve them.

We offer concrete efflorescence stain removal service but you can also call us out when you have efflorescence stains on your masonry work, stucco or any other outdoor surface it may form on. When it comes to efflorescence, we are experts. Enhance the look of your outdoor areas with our specialized services!

(704)245-9409