Stained Concrete Floors Turning White

The white residue on the surface of new concrete can be removed only with an acidic cleaner.

Stained concrete floors turning white.

Efflorescence is a fact of life with most concrete. 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. Acid based stain and water based stain. Walls floors ceilings including un wanted stains from various causes deliberate concrete coloring processes stains or acid treatments.

Concrete can be stained when salts and other materials will come off the concrete surface. We are hearing more about efflorescence related issues because of the popularity of stained floors. I have complied with the maintenance of the floors and last finished the floors in august. Eagle acid stains create marbled variations of color eagle acid stains create marbled variations of color on cured concrete by chemical reaction with the minerals in the concrete.

Given enough time acid rain can clean the majority of white concrete stains but many homeowners do not wish to wait to remove the problem. Every concrete floor will react with its own unique pattern. There are two types of products you can use for staining concrete floors. Efflorescence will be triggered by low temperatures humidity condensation and rain.

The stains are normally white and are present in darker colors more than white or pale colors due to the contrast created by the chemical reaction. It also won t fade peel or chip. Here are the pros and cons of each. To complicate the color issue the trend to go green and use recycled products as partial cement replacements can produce color variations depending on the percentage of recycled material put into the mix the water to cementitious materials ratio and how the concrete is cured.

Why is my concrete turning white. When left exposed to the elements or accidental spills concrete often becomes discolored if it wasn t properly sealed. Per the rental agreement we are only allowed to use bona floor cleaner and water on the floors and they require the floors to be refinished every 6 months. Purchase an acidic efflorescence stain remover available at hardware stores and home centers.

Acid based stain the color palette is more limited but the stain typically lasts longer than water based so it s the best solution for high traffic areas. I moved into a rental that has very dark stained concrete floors. If you ve tried cleaning it with normal detergents and water to no avail a few common household chemicals can get rid of the stains. The below concrete stain colors were achieved with surecrete s eco stain a water based semi transparent concrete stain floor concrete color these colors of stain are applied on gray concrete with stain applied at full strength no dilution with two applications and is sealed with a penetrating color enhancing sealer.

Methos for removing un wanted discoloration or stains from concrete.