How do you remove calcium deposits from pavers?

First, for very mild cases of efflorescence, try a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Using a scrub brush, spot treat and scrub affected areas with the vinegar mix. The acidity in the vinegar helps remove the efflorescence and calcium deposits by breaking down mineral crystals.

How do I get rid of efflorescence on pavers?

Vinegar is extremely effective against efflorescence, and you don’t have to worry about rinsing dangerous acids into the soil around your pavers. Pour vinegar that is 6% acid over the pavers, scrub them with a brush, then rinse it away with a water hose. Vinegar may not remove large buildups of efflorescence.

How do you get white residue off pavers?

Acid Washing Saturate the pavers thoroughly with plain water. Mix two parts white vinegar with 10 parts water in a plastic bucket, recommends Delaware Quarries. Multiply the solution amounts as needed to make enough to cover the paved area. Wash the pavers with the acid solution.

Does white vinegar clean pavers?

Water and white vinegar is a great cleaning mixture that can remove stubborn dirt and stains. Soak your stained pavers with the white vinegar & water solution, then let it sit for an hour. Scrub off the stains and the vinegar with some good old soap and water.

How does lime get to the surface of concrete pavers?

As the cement hydrates, it produces lime or water soluble salts, such as calcium hydroxide. The calcium hydroxide is soluble in water and therefore migrates to the surface of the concrete pavers through capillary action. When the calcium hydroxide reaches the surface of the pavers, a chemical reaction occurs with the carbon dioxide in the air.

What causes lime to leach out of concrete?

Lime leaching. Lime weeping is caused by water leaking through the concrete and dissolving calcium hydroxide from the matrix. On contact with the atmosphere the calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate, which is precipitated on the surface when the water evaporates, generally at cracks or joints.

What causes the whitish haze on concrete pavers?

As it reacts with the carbon dioxide, the calcium hydroxide forms a water insoluble calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate creates the whitish haze on the surface of the concrete pavers. As the moisture evaporates off the surface of the pavers, the whitish haze becomes more pronounced. And as naturally as the efflorescence appeared, it will fade.

What happens to water when lime is leached?

Lime leaching. On contact with the atmosphere the calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate, which is precipitated on the surface when the water evaporates, generally at cracks or joints. Serious leakage of water through joints can lead to the formation of stalactites.

What causes chalky residue on concrete pavers?

Efflorescence is the white, chalky residue that forms on the surface of concrete brick pavers. Efflorescence is completely natural and occurs with all concrete products containing cement. Efflorescence is created when the calcium oxide naturally found in the cement mixes with water to form calcium hydroxide…

What makes the efflorescence on brick paver?

Efflorescence is created when the calcium oxide naturally found in the cement mixes with water to form calcium hydroxide and then is leached to the surface of the paver where it comes in contact with the carbon dioxide in the air and then forms calcium carbonate which forms the white, chalky residue referred to as efflorescence.

Why do I have calcium deposits on my patio?

All patios are vulnerable to calcium deposits from efflorescence and hard water. Efflorescence is common with curing concrete patios and occurs when moisture extracts calcium from the concrete, leaving dissolved calcium deposits on patio surfaces.