The following images show how salts trapped within natural stone paving will often come to the surface after it has been laid, these salts are called efflorescence. Efflorescence normally takes up to six months to appear and looks unsightly.
So how can they be removed or better still prevented from appearing in the first place? You might also like to know how these salts affect the sealing process.
- Firstly the majority of these salts are soluble so simply pouring water onto the paving stones, gently brushing with a soft broom and rinsing, will clean them from the surface. This is however a short term solution as there will no doubt be more salts within the paving that will surface sooner or later. Our solution to this common problem is to apply EASY Efflorescence Remover +. It is designed to not only aid the removal of dissolvable surface salts but it will also neutralise salts within the stone, preventing them moving to the surface.
How does sealed paving react to efflorescence?
Regarding sealing paving, many sealers (lacquer and polymer-based) on the market put a coating or skin on the surface which unfortunately traps these salts between the stone and sealer leaving a cloudy finish. Our natural stone sealers are different, by using clever water based formulas our EASY Sealers impregnate the surface and seal the stone without the need for a ‘skin coat’ but still enabling the stone to ‘breathe’. These sealers allow salt to pass through them amd out to the surface where they can be washed away. If you have already applied a lacquer and polymer-based sealer that has trapped salts under it then look at our EASYSealer Remover. It is designed to remove old lacquer and polymer-based sealers, returning the paving to it's original state ready to be sealed with a breathable sealer.
We recommend you seal your paving before using EASYJoint, as it keeps the joints permeable, helping your patio drain. If you have already used our sweep in compound then simply wait 4 weeks for it to completely cure before sealing. You should note that once you have sealed the EASY Joints they will become impermeable.
Note: Not all white salt deposits are efflorescence, if your salt deposits are hard and will not dissolve in water they are likely to be calcium based and will require a specialised remover like EASY Mortar Stain & Calcium Remover that dissolves them so they can be washed away.
Got any questions? Azpects offer a Customer & Merchant Support Helpline: +44 (0)1473 760777
For more information on EASYCare: http://www.azpects.co.uk/cleaners-and-treatments.aspx
For our full list of products visit: http://www.azpects.co.uk/products.aspx
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