To start the maintenance process, use a solution of regular dish soap and water along with a stiff plastic scrub brush. Avoid using a wire brush, as it can dislodge wires and create rust marks on the surface.
Brushing and pressure-washing may be insufficient on tough salt deposits. An acidic cleaner, such as PROSOCO's Sure Klean Light Duty Concrete Cleaner, and Sure Klean Vana Trol can dissolve efflorescence more effectively.
Vinegar and water solution—Efflorescence can be removed by using a dilute solution of household white vinegar and water. A vinegar and water solution is relatively inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to obtain, mix and apply. Dilution ratio is 20–50% vinegar in water by volume.
First, for very mild cases of efflorescence, try a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Using a scrub brush, spot treat and scrub affected areas with the vinegar mix. The acidity in the vinegar helps remove the efflorescence and calcium deposits by breaking down mineral crystals.
A solution of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and water (Approx. 1 lb. Of baking soda per 5-gallons of water) can be used to neutralize the stain. The solution should be applied until it stops fizzing.
A conventional chemical cleaner that has been used for removing efflorescence is muriatic acid in a mild solution, usually one part muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid, HC1) to 12 parts water.
In all but very extreme cases, efflorescence will stop as capillaries in the stone become blocked by crystallized salts. Once the process stops, the white deposits will eventually wear off with use and exposure.
Clear water repellents, silicone and acrylic coatings also may help you remove efflorescence as well. The coating will absorb water across a masonry surface and prevent efflorescence from recurring. Plus, the combination of warm water and white wine vinegar has been shown to eliminate efflorescence.
Vinegar is extremely effective against removing efflorescence from any surface, whether it be interlocking pavers, concrete pavers or bricks.
We recommend using PROTECTiT Efflorescence Remover which is suitable for use on natural stone, brick or concrete products.
No-one can say how long any incidence of efflorescence will last. It might be a few weeks; it might be a couple or three months; it &could be a year or two. There are so many factors affecting its generation and appearance, and its disappearance that an educated guess is the best we can manage.
Efflorescence of this type can be removed with a dilute acid solution (such as one part hydrochloric acid in 9 to 19 parts water or one part phosphoric acid in 9 parts water). After treatment the area should be washed with clean water to remove all acid.
Removal of Efflorescence
Using warm water can soften efflorescence and make removal easier. The use of a weak solution of hydrochloric acid (15 to 1) may also assist in effective removal. Care should always be taken regardless of removal method used to ensure that no damage to the coating occurs.
RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner can be safely used on poured concrete, concrete blocks, bricks, stucco, pavers, and artificial stones. The cleaner chemically breaks down and removes efflorescence, lime deposits, metal salt stains, and rust deposits.
It is common for people to confuse mold with efflorescence. Efflorescence itself isn't dangerous or harmful. It can lead to potential moisture problems that can cause structural damage to building materials.
Efflorescence occurs when water soluble salts travel to the concrete surface. The mineral salts might be a result of the cement hydration reaction or can come from many other sources like sulphate rich sand. Porous concretes, masonry and mortars will be more susceptible to the migration of salts to the surface.
EASY Efflorescence Remover+ is a non-acid product that penetrates the substrate to make the salts water-soluable. These can be washed away naturally or removed with a pressure washer. It also helps to neutralise salt stains in new brickwork and paving to give long lasting results.
Efflorescence is easily removed if you catch it right away. Using a stiff scrubbing brush, most of it will easily come off. Add water and vinegar or muriatic acid for a stronger solution. Although it is abrasive, sandblasting also works to get rid of tough cases of efflorescence.
Will Vinegar Damage Concrete? Cleaning concrete with vinegar will not damage it! However, saturating concrete for an extended period will damage the cement that binds concrete together. Over time, vinegar erodes the concrete itself, so be careful.
Pressure washing can work to remove white efflorescence once the surface has thoroughly dried. The surface must be thoroughly rinsed to ensure that no residue remains. We also use a safe detergent to ensure a thorough clean.
These issues can adversely affect the health of occupants of the building. Permanent moisture issues that are causing efflorescence will also eventually weaken the structural integrity of the substrate. A constant reduction in the salt content of the substrate will eventually leave the substrate weak and sandy.
Mold grows, efflorescence doesn't. Mold can grow on just about any surface, whereas efflorescence doesn't spread. Mold is a fungus, whereas efflorescence is moisture that evaporates into salt deposits.
To do this, it is recommended that you treat your concrete walls with a breathable, penetrating concrete sealer like the Siloxa-Tek 8500. The Siloxa-Tek 8500 is able to prevent efflorescence from coming to the surface by reducing moisture intrusion and water infiltration.
It does an excellent job removing white marks on brickwork especially. You need to spray it at the surface, wait about 1min for it to react with salts build-up, and rinse it off with water.
But if you wall has a high salt content, the efflorescence could develop again and again. The first thing to do is to take steps to keep water off of the wall as much as possible and see what happens. Consider a penetrating sealant that is specifically made to prevent efflorescence.