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How to remove efflorescence from pavers?

Efflorescence occurs in pavers when water brings salt to the surface, leaving a white, powder-like coating on the paver. Although it appears to be powder-like, it doesn’t wipe clean as easily as a powder. That’s why 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, and how to prevent efflorescence on your pavers.

How to remove efflorescence from pavers?

First, to remove efflorescence from pavers, you might need the following materials:

  • Stiff-handled brush or a broom
  • Garden hose
  • Paver cleaner
  • A cloth
  • Efflorescence cleaner
  • Safety goggles and rubber gloves

It’s important to say that, generally, it’s recommended to wait about 60 days before applying an efflorescence cleaner on new pavers. 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 them 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 some steps that you can follow:

  • Step 1: If you are dealing with early efflorescence, opt for dry brushing 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 and debris, and loosen efflorescence.
  • Step 3: Combine warm water with a paver cleaner in a bucket 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 to remove soap residue. And then, let the pavers completely air dry.
  • Step 6: Dampen a cloth with an efflorescence treating product. Rub the cloth on the surface of the pavers so the entire surface is covered in a thin layer of the product. Allow the product to dry. Do not rinse or remove the product.

Is there a way to prevent efflorescence?

There are a couple of tricks for preventing efflorescence, but 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.

Other ways to prevent efflorescence are:

  • When installing pavers, ensure bedding material and grading allow for proper drainage. Permeable geotextiles can prevent salt absorption from the ground.
  • Installing a capillary break will prevent both water entry and salt absorption.

Why is efflorescence cleaning necessary?

It’s important to remove any efflorescence from the pavers’ surface when it comes to sealing pavers. If you seal the pavers, the efflorescence will be trapped on the surface until the sealer wears off.

Its also recommended for maintaining the beauty of your pavers. Because 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 material being sealed.

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!

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