Efflorescence occurs in pavers when water brings salt to the surface, leaving a white, powder-like coating on the paver. Although it appears powder-like, it doesn’t wipe clean as easily as a powder. Many people don’t know how to remove efflorescence from pavers.
Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts that can form when water is present in or on bricks, concrete, and stones. It has a white tint and consists of salt deposits left behind when water evaporates. This is a normal and natural occurrence in all concrete and stone products.
In this article, you will find out how to remove efflorescence from pavers, products that you can use for doing so, and how to prevent efflorescence in the first place.
Read also: How much does it cost to clean and seal pavers in 2024?
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How to remove efflorescence from pavers: step by step
The first checkpoint you must cross to learn how to remove efflorescence from pavers is to gather the following materials:
- Stiff-handled brush or a broom
- Garden hose
- Paver cleaner
- A cloth
- Efflorescence cleaner
- Safety goggles and rubber gloves
Generally, it’s recommended to wait about 60 days before applying an efflorescence cleaner on new pavers. Therefore, even more important than knowing how to remove efflorescence from pavers is knowing when to do it.
It’s also important to say that, even after proper cleaning, efflorescence may come back in the future. In that case, you will have to clean it again.
It’s not super hard to remove efflorescence from pavers, but if you do it wrong, you can do severe damage to your pavers, so follow the recommendations carefully. Here are the steps that you can follow:
- Step 1: You start your process on how to remove efflorescence from pavers by dry brushing them first. This keeps the salts from being washed back into the pavers.
- Step 2: Wash the pavers with a garden hose. Set it on a high setting and spray off all dirt, debris, and loose efflorescence.
- Step 3: Combine warm water with an efflorescence-treating product in a bucket, always following the manufacturer’s instructions, then dip a cleaning brush or hard-bristled brush into the solution and brush the pavers. After that, allow the cleaner to dry on the pavers.
- Step 5: Use a garden hose to spray off the pavers and remove soap residue. And then, let the pavers completely air dry.
What is efflorescence?
Efflorescence is the migration of salt to the surface of a porous material – where it forms a white, powdery deposit. This phenomenon commonly occurs in masonry, concrete, brick, and sometimes even on natural stone surfaces.
Efflorescence happens when soluble salts within the material dissolve in water, move to the surface through capillary action, and then crystallize as the water evaporates. It’s often a cosmetic issue, but in some cases, it can indicate underlying moisture problems that may need to be addressed.
If your installation has mold, weeds, or even ant colonies besides the efflorescence, it is an indication that you might have an underlying drainage issue.
Read also: How to remove moss from pavers: a comprehensive guide
Is there a way to prevent efflorescence?
Besides knowing how to remove efflorescence from pavers, there are a couple of tricks you can use to prevent it from even appearing in the first place. That being said, it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll never experience efflorescence on pavers because it’s a natural occurrence in all concrete products.
The main way to prevent efflorescence is by isolating the pavers from salt and water sources. So, storing the pavers properly, paying special attention to landscaping and sprinklers close to the pavers, and applying a hydrophobic sealant are some ways to prevent it.
You can also take some precautions during the installation to avoid efflorescence – it all comes down to good drainage, so ensure your bedding material is of the best possible quality.
You can also use geotextile fabric as a capillary break, which prevents salt and water absorption from the ground. To do that, cover the entire ground of your installation with it, even before starting to develop your bedding.
Why is cleaning efflorescence necessary?
It’s important to remove any efflorescence from the pavers’ surface before sealing them; otherwise, the efflorescence will be trapped on the surface until the sealer wears off.
It’s also recommended for maintaining the beauty of your pavers. Not removing the stains, dirt, and debris will affect the integrity of the sealer if they get trapped underneath.
Removing the efflorescence is important, so the sealer will be able to get a deeper penetration into clean pores and form a stronger bond to the pavers.
What about a professional to remove efflorescence from your pavers?
Pros will be able to remove efflorescence and other stains, and after that, your pavers will look great again, they will seal them to make sure they stay that way for a long time.
At JS Brick, if you hire our sealing services we make sure that your pavers will look as good as the day they were first installed. So, if you live in Sarasota or any of our surrounding Counties, contact us for a free estimate!
