Stain Removal
Rust, efflorescence, and organic staining can cover a property over time. Different methods are used to remove each. Some stains cannot be erased completely, so it's better to aim for prevention. Pricing varies depending on the square footage of the stain and the type of stain. Read below for more details.
Rust Stain Removal
Rust stains need to be chemically treated in order to break down the iron oxides in the stain so that they can be washed away. Surface level rust is fairly easy to treat, but rust stains that have seeped into the pores of the concrete are very difficult clean up. These deep stains can go 1/2" or more into the concrete or stone due to years of growth, further than any chemicals can travel. Cleaning up the stains as soon as they start is the best way to prevent further damage to the installation. Eco-friendly products are used to treat and wash the rust stains.
Efflorescence Removal
Efflorescence is a growth of salts that seep out of bricks, stones, or mortar and can be white or yellow in color. Usually moisture seeps in behind a wall and travels through the mortar or stone. When that water comes out and evaporates, it leaves behind a layer of salt deposits such as calcium and multiple layers can form over several years. Efflorescence can only be treated with strong acid solutions, which break down the bonds of the salts allowing them to be washed away. Though the treating and cleaning washes away the surface level efflorescence, the causes of the efflorescence stains need to be identified and remediated to really make a difference.
Organic Stain Removal
Organic stains such as leaf stains, seed stains, and algae stains are removed with non-caustic cleaning solutions. The cleaning solution breaks down the chlorophyll inside the stain which allows it to be washed away. These types of stains are very common and don't run deep into any substrate. Sunlight can break down organic stains over the course of years, but when the areas are shaded the stains need to be treated and cleaned. Though they don't cause any damage, these stains ruin the look of the installation and can also be a source of food for insects. Removing these stains brightens up the area.