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Efflorescence

Efflorescence is caused when soluble salts and other water dispersible materials come to the surface of concrete and mortars. It's induced by low temperatures, moist conditions, condensation, rain, dew, and water added to the surface of fresh concrete to assist troweling. It can occur very soon after exposure to moist or cool conditions or gradually, especially when it comes from within the concrete or from the subgrade.

What Causes Efflorescence and How do You Remove it?

Efflorescence occurs with all concrete and is the most frequent problem that concrete contractors face with colored concrete. Owners don't...


 
 
 

Removing Heavy Efflorescence

I have a concrete wall that builds up heavy efflorescence in the spring. There doesn't...

Covering Created Efflorescence

I hired a contractor to install a colored concrete patio at my home. He installed it...

Efflorescence on Decorative Concrete

The last thing you as a contractor or specifier want to hear when you complete a...

 

Efflorescence Products

 

Efflorescence Articles

  • Accumulating dirt, dust, and other debris on exterior concrete surfaces can resemble mildew. Dirt pickup cannot be eliminated entirely, but the best elastomeric wall coating formulations use resins that deliver excellent dirt pickup resistance without sacrificing elongation. Look for a product that indicates good dirt pickup resistance.

    Preventing Cracks in Walls

    Elastomeric wall coatings bridge concrete surface cracks and hide them from view.

     
  • Unheralded Performance

    Fresh and salty marine water exposures, whether external or internal, usually require special concrete precautions above and beyond the norm to weather potential adverse effects.

     
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    Booster Pump Station #179

    A combination of monolithic-colored concrete slabs, integrally colored concrete walkways, and retaining walls create this unique setting in Scottsdale, Ariz.

     
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    DCC's Eighth Problems & Practice Paper Available

    The Decorative Concrete Council, a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, has published the eighth in a series of Problems & Practice papers.

     
  • Grinding Questions From a Novice

    I am the building manager for a large church on the East Coast. We recently have contracted with a company to grind and overlay about 5000 square feet of our church.

     
  • Did Salt Finish Affect Color?

    I am the building manager for a large church on the East Coast. We recently have contracted with a company to grind and overlay about 5000 square feet of our church.

     
  • McGruder Residence

    This project replaced two close-in pools and natural stonework on the ground with an outlying pool and decorative concrete. To match the stonework of the house, the contractor imprinted, colored, highlighted, and grouted the upper areas and new pool deck.

     
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    Integral Color

    The last time we wrote about integrally colored concrete, liquid dispensed color had just been introduced to ready-mix producers. Only a couple of manufacturers were involved in this market, but now most manufacturers of color for concrete have liquid dispensed products. It was thought at the time...

     
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    Prep School

    When coatings applied to concrete surfaces fail, the cause usually is inadequate surface preparation. For a coating to bond properly, the concrete surface must be sound, clean, free from surface defects, and dry.

     
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    Problem Clinic: Why Does Concrete Discolor?

    Why does concrete discolor even though the specifications (wet cure) were followed without exception?

     
 
 
 
 

 
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