Remove Efflorescence From A Concrete Basement Floor
Concrete efflorescence is a very common problem on concrete especially decorative concrete.
Remove efflorescence from a concrete basement floor. The problem should never be ignored since moisture can easily ruin a newly finished basement. Removing efflorescence from concrete. 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. The technique part of a three year restoration project that began in 2011.
Efflorescence typically shows up better on darker concrete and occurs when the salts and other materials in the concrete make their way to the surface. Once the efflorescence is removed and the surface is treated. Efflorescence is a fact of life with most concrete. Scrub the white powder to loosen it from the concrete floor.
A continuing build up of efflorescence may be an indication that you need to waterproof your basement walls. If you notice a white powdery film on your basement walls efflorescence is likely the culprit. If you are working with an outdoor surface you can carry out this step with a garden hose. We are hearing more about efflorescence related issues because of the popularity of stained floors.
It is produced due to low temperatures moist conditions condensation rain dew and water added to the surface of fresh concrete to assist troweling. To explain it in simpler terms it s when evaporated salts and other minerals from curing concrete develop into a powder like substance due to high moisture in the air. Efflorescence should not stop you from finishing a basement. Efflorescence removal from a basement floor.
Efflorescence is defined as the loss of water of crystallization from a hydrated salt into the atmosphere upon exposure to air. 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. Give your concrete surface a thorough rinse. Removing efflorescence from a new patio is a breeze compared to cleaning a 400 year old fresco.
The first step in removing efflorescence is to vigorously rinse the concrete with water. When moisture and water vapor migrate to the surface of hardened concrete floors walls and colored concrete it carries with it calcium hydroxide. The easiest way to remove efflorescence from basement concrete is to use a stiff scrub brush. The concrete was placed colored and stamped shortly before winter.
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. Joe nasvik an example of extreme efflorescence. Efflorescence is white powdery material formed on concrete floor surface when soluble salts migrate to the surface of concrete.