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White patches on concrete
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=24480		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 06, 2009 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  White patches on concrete
I have white patches all over my two new concrete areas which are coloured on top and yet to be sealed, they are waiting for a fine day to do the sealant.

Is there something they can do other than seal it? From searching on here it sounds like there is something that they can use ti nuetralise it, should I be asking that they do this or should I let them seal it and ride it out?

It looks crap now :(
Author:  davinci [ Oct 06, 2009 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
its called anti-eff and is available from most large paving suppliers
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 06, 2009 9:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
Thanks Davinci, should it be done before the sealer is applied and should the concreter do it? If they don't can I do it?
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 08, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
I'm starting to wonder now why I bothered colouring my driveway black as almost all of it is VERY grey looking right now with all this white crap ::angry:: ::angry:: ::cry::
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 09, 2009 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
The concreter called today to say they would be here Sunday to seal it - I told him about the problem and he said that they don't do anything to it as it doesn't always work and can cause problems and that I just have to wait it out :( He suggested hosing it down a few times to see if that helps so I will give it a go
Author:  brittany [ Oct 18, 2009 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
Our concrete (charcoal) came up with white patches only in certain areas at first and we were horrified. They quickly dissappeared within a few days. How long has it been.
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 18, 2009 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
brittany brittany
Our concrete (charcoal) came up with white patches only in certain areas at first and we were horrified. They quickly dissappeared within a few days. How long has it been.


It's been 2 weeks now and it's still there although it doesn't seem as bad now but with the rain it's been hard to tell, but the rain has probably helped it! I'm going to get my dad's water pressure hose thingy and try that too, and I have to use that on it anyway before it gets sealed as it needs to be clean
Author:  brittany [ Oct 20, 2009 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
I think you're meant to leave concrete for well over a month before you put a pressure hose on it.
Author:  royalblue [ Oct 20, 2009 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
Lisanne,

It sounds like efflorescence, and is a natural process of salts depositing on the surface. The salts can be brushed away with a stiff brush/broom or hosed, but will reocurr as the moisture then draws more salts up.

There are a number of products on the market for removal of efflorescence, BUT they are almost all acids (phosphoric or other acids) which disolve the salts, but are usually not very successful as the efflorescence reoccurs.

This product is expensive, but is a far more effective at effectively removing the efflorescence and inhibiting its return.

http://www.aquamix.com.au/products/eff-ex.php

If you get it, be sure to follow the instructions very carefully.

Ash.
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 20, 2009 1:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
Thanks guys. I've noticed that the bit I did sweep hasn't got it anymore so I'm thinking I may need to sweep it. I hosed the driveway down the other night with just a normal hose and I have seen a slight improvement, so will give the sweeping a go.... this warmer weather today should tell me how it's going.
Author:  onc_artisan [ Oct 20, 2009 1:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
Hi ya lisanne,
The water will dissolve it, drying is what makes the crystals form. :wink:
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 20, 2009 5:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
onc_artisan onc_artisan
Hi ya lisanne,
The water will dissolve it, drying is what makes the crystals form. :wink:


So the water will disolve it and wash it away wont it?
Author:  brittany [ Oct 30, 2009 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
Hi Lisanne - hows the concrete looking now? What did you end up doing?
Author:  lisanne [ Oct 30, 2009 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
brittany brittany
Hi Lisanne - hows the concrete looking now? What did you end up doing?


I was hoping that the recent rains would help and it has but its still happening in some area's so when I get a chance I am going to try sweeping it.

I also need to hose it down again as there is a lot of dirt from the recent dust and winds
Author:  onc_artisan [ Oct 31, 2009 12:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
If you want to high pressure wash it, go for it!
After a week you would be doing well to remove any concrete :wink:
Mind you if you can I have a job for you :lol:
Author:  lisanne [ Nov 05, 2009 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
It seems to have magically stopped now! I'm going to hose it down (awful I know!) and clean the dirt/dust/mud off it so that they can come and seal it!
Author:  lisanne [ Nov 12, 2009 7:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
It's being sealed tomorrow! They told me to hose it down tonight to try to get it clean - it got a LOT of dirt off but it still looks dirty ::frown:: There's also a giant crack in the driveway ::frown:: And the colour is REALLY patchy ::frown::

Oh and some of my neighbours saw me hosing down my driveway and just glared at me ::frown::

Poo! ::frown::
Author:  lisanne [ Nov 13, 2009 5:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: White patches on concrete
How long after it's sealed can I drive on it? I think I remember them saying 4hrs, but the thing is I don't know when they came to do it - it's dry to touch at the edges at least
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