What is efflorescence in brick pavers?
There is a chance that after a few weeks or months pass, a white haze may appear on the surface of the pavers. This is known as efflorescence. It may appear randomly or in certain areas, and will be more pronounced on dark colored pavers. The white haze may give the impression that the color of the brick pavers are fading. When wet, the white disappears and the color of the pavers are enhanced. When they dry, the white haze reappears.
Efflorescence is completely natural, and will disappear with time.
There is no reason to be concerned that your pavers are damaged or defective. The concrete pavers are experiencing a natural process. It is a condition in all cement-based products, as well as in many other paving products. But the condition will usually correct itself with time and exposure to the elements. Here in Florida it only takes between 2-4 weeks after installation depending on the season. The reason it is season dependent will be explained in the next section.
The chemistry of efflorescence.
All concrete products contain cement, which produces lime or water soluble calcium oxide. Lime can also be in the bedding sand, aggregate base materials, or soil. Although concrete pavers are solid, strong and very dense, they contain millions of microscopic capillaries that run from the interior of the surface. Moisture from rain, sprinkler systems, underground sources, poor site drainage, or dew enters these microscopic capillaries. Calcium oxide inside the paver reacts with the water in the capillaries and forms calcium hydroxide. This rises to the surface, reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air and forms a white haze of calcium carbonate. When moisture on the surface evaporates, the white haze of efflorescence becomes visible. Most states, especially northern states don’t have the subtropical climate that we have here in the Pasco county, Hernando county & Hillsborough county Florida. Some people may be surprised that we actually have rivers flowing below our feet in the ground. All this moisture in the ground permeates through the soil, through the paver base material and throughout the brick paver itself. The reason this is important is because the process of releasing efflorescence is definitely expedited here in the Tampa Florida region, as well as further south. Up north, this process may take up to 4 months before the efflorescence has naturally released from the brick paver surface. In Florida however, it can take as little as 2 weeks during the rainy season.
NOT ALL PAVERS WILL HAVE EFFLORESCENCE VISIBLE DIRECTLY AFTER INSTALL. Some may not demonstrate signs of efflorescence for a week, and some may not have any at all.
Eliminating efflorescence
Most producers of pavers put chemical additives in the concrete to reduce the likelihood of efflorescence. In most cases, these additives do the job. Completely eliminating the chance of efflorescence, however, isn’t possible because it’s a natural byproduct of hardened concrete. It will stop when no more calcium hydroxide is available to more to the surface. There are cleaners available that Dura Guard Paver Sealing is certified to purchase and apply, that can remove efflorescence.
Frequently asked questions.
Q: When will efflorescence stop? When the supply of calcium hydroxide is exhausted. If you live in an area of frequent rain and sunny days, efflorescence and its passing may occur quickly. The process may take much longer in drier climates. Q: Will efflorescence go away naturally? Since many factors are involved in its formation, it is difficult to determine when efflorescence will stop. Just as it appears naturally, efflorescence will eventually disappear. Over time, rainwater can wash and wear it away. Often times, here in Florida for example, this time frame can be as short as 2 weeks in the rainy season, and as long as 6 weeks during droughts or winter times. Q: Can efflorescence be removed without the wait? Yes, efflorescence can be chemically removed if you just can’t take the wait. Again, this process can be as short as 2 weeks here in the state of Florida, especially in our service areas of the Tampa bay & surrounding counties (Pasco, Herndndo, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus counties). There are remedies we can provide you with which will definitely help expedite this process regardless of season, which will save you as the brick paver surface owner, a lot of money.
For your expert brick paver sealing company, give us a call at the main office at 727-218-4221 or, for the fastest response, submit an online request for an estimate by clicking this link. Brick paver sealing in Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, Bradenton, Sarasota, Orlando, The Villages, Citrus county and all surrounding Tampa Florida areas.
