Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...

Brick pavers issue...advise needed

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Created by shi thouse > 9 months ago, 4 Nov 2013
shi thouse
WA, 1141 posts
4 Nov 2013 6:08PM
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These are the brick pavers that surround the pool. As you can see the red ones are the actual colour except they have taken on a white powdery colour (this is particularly after this winter). General hosing down doesn't remove the powder. Hoping someone can help with regards to removing and preventing future build up again.




Many thanks





Bone74
380 posts
4 Nov 2013 6:31PM
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Is it a salt pool
Could be efflorescence
Google it

SandS
VIC, 5904 posts
4 Nov 2013 9:44PM
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Yep, salt coming out of the base or if salt in pool ......get some lemon ,tequila , throw one down the hatch ,then get down and lick .

chrispy
WA, 9675 posts
4 Nov 2013 6:50PM
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Select to expand quote
SandS said...
Yep, salt coming out of the base or if salt in pool ......get some lemon ,tequila , throw one down the hatch ,then get down and lick .



E T
QLD, 2286 posts
4 Nov 2013 9:04PM
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Good evening Shi thouse.

The little problem you have there is called " efflorescence". It is the inherent salt in the pavers finding its way out.
It is a problem that is common to most clay brick products.
It is usually more common after dry periods but can happen at any time.
The only cure for it is time or a sealant. I would advise against the sealant around the pool as it could become slippery and dangerous. The sealant stops the moisture coming out of the paver and therefore the slat drying on top.

The best thing to do is regularly wet the pavers down and eventually it will cease. Can't give you a time it will depend on the paver, it's location in relation to the pool, how often it gets wet etc.
Don't worry about though it is not dangerous nor is it a fault and it will eventually go away.

Hope this helps.

ET.

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
4 Nov 2013 10:17PM
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Yep - efflorescence. As for remedies... Google is your friend.

Skid
QLD, 1499 posts
4 Nov 2013 9:37PM
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SandS said..

Yep, salt coming out of the base or if salt in pool ......get some lemon ,tequila , throw one down the hatch ,then get down and lick .


Now that's just silly!
Surely the order is...
1. Lick
2. Sip
3. Suck

Craig66
NSW, 2457 posts
4 Nov 2013 10:48PM
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herringbone pattern

all sounds a bit fishy to me

adolf
1862 posts
4 Nov 2013 7:51PM
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That is easy.

Check out the Aldi brochure. I bought one of these f'ckers last week - $90, but I think if you find a store with some of them in stock - you may have to rummage through broken boxes but at my store I saw them selling for $80 this week.

www.productreview.com.au/listings/aldi-workzone-high-pressure-cleaner-2400w-sep-2015-sep-2017

The thing is freaking amazing (I've never owned one before so can't compare) I've cleaned that much stuff with this and annoyed that many family members, it's fantastic - it will get rid of that stain no problem. Since I bought it I've cleaned up my roof and the pavers around my pool, washed both our cars - it's great. I haven't got any of the problems reported so far in two weeks of use.

My life is so boring and suburban these days that I just can't wait for the next aldi brochure.

This week I was tossing up between the aldi digital drum kit, the self blow up queen size bed the tradesman radio and this amazing amp thingo. I bought the the self blow up queen size bed for $25 and some metal lures to catch salmona cheap dremmel sander and a couple of bottles of $5.00 Pinot Grigio Mornington Peninsula wine.

Very happy with Aldi products right now.

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
4 Nov 2013 11:09PM
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adolf said...
it will get rid of that stain no problem.


It's not a stain though - it comes out of the bricks when they are damp. The excess calcium-like deposit can be blasted off but it won't fix the problem and it will come back.

Good hearing about your Aldi reviews though.

adolf
1862 posts
4 Nov 2013 8:26PM
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Sailhack said..

adolf said...
it will get rid of that stain no problem.


It's not a stain though - it comes out of the bricks when they are damp. The excess calcium-like deposit can be blasted off but it won't fix the problem and it will come back.

Good hearing about your Aldi reviews though.


Ok, easy fixed.

Get some brown people in to rip em all up and replace em.

Supersonic27
NSW, 235 posts
5 Nov 2013 12:02AM
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I was always told that you should not wash/ blast/wet the pavers, as it won't get rid of the salts. Wetting the bricks/pavers just causes the bricks to "suck" the salts back in and it will re-occur.

The best way to get rid of efflorescence is to keep brushing the bricks/pavers with a stiff bristled broom or brush. As the salt content is lowered, because the salt is removed, the severity of the re-occurrence will reduce over time.

PITA I know because hosing it down is a lot easier, and it seems to disappear immediately......but it will keep coming back.

It seems to affect some bricks/pavers more than others, and they say it is most likely to occur in lighter coloured clays/bricks/pavers.....but all can be affected to some degree.

And yes, google is your friend!

shi thouse
WA, 1141 posts
4 Nov 2013 9:47PM
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SandS said..

Yep, salt coming out of the base or if salt in pool ......get some lemon ,tequila , throw one down the hatch ,then get down and lick .




Hilarious....cheers for the advice folks.

Tried that Bunnin.. store that is owned by the big farming company down the road, just got blank looks and a shrug of shoulders. Should have known better than to ask advice there.

Will try all the above as I slowly work down the pre-Christmas job list as issued by the Minister for Finance and Planning.


Huge thanks again. Who needs Wikki when we got Seabreeze as a reference point.

Dawn Patrol
WA, 1991 posts
4 Nov 2013 10:03PM
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Definitely chemtrail residue.

Mark _australia
WA, 22346 posts
4 Nov 2013 10:20PM
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Turn the pavers upside down.

actiomax
NSW, 1575 posts
5 Nov 2013 8:02AM
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try washing with hydrochloric acid & then hosing off hardware will have it to clean bricks

E T
QLD, 2286 posts
5 Nov 2013 8:40AM
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actiomax said..

try washing with hydrochloric acid & then hosing off hardware will have it to clean bricks


No matter what chemicals and hard brushes you use the slat will continue to come out.
Wetting is the only way to eventually cure the issue as it is the moisture that draws the salt out of the paver.
So eventually there will be no salt left to find its way out.

Believe me I know these things.

ET.

Supersonic27
NSW, 235 posts
5 Nov 2013 2:45PM
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Straight from the PGH Pavers questions and answers:



Q.?What is efflorescence?
A.?Efflorescence is simply salt rising from the ground and permeating through the paver to the surface. Once it reaches the surface of the paver it dries is the sun and crystalises.

Q.?Can I remove efflorescence myself, or does it require a tradesperson?
A.?This can generally be washed off or swept away. Some commercial products are available to remove but persistence with a stiff brush will generally achieve the same result. Professional tradespeople can also be consulted to remove efflorescence.


Cheers

Beaglebuddy
1595 posts
6 Nov 2013 3:34PM
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I would just leave it alone, it looks normal IMO, don't obsess over it, just go sailing.



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Brick pavers issue...advise needed" started by shi thouse