RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner

Cleaning Concrete, Bricks and Stucco

Cleaning concrete or bricks is a tough job! Efflorescence ("white powder") and mineral deposits are not water-soluble and no amount of detergents and "elbow-grease" will help. You might use a high-pressure water sprayer to clean the concrete or bricks but this is counter-productive. The water will activate more efflorescence and make it come back stronger than ever.

Some people clean concrete and masonry by acid etching with muriatic or similar acid, which is dangerous to the user and environment. Our EasyEtch Concrete Etcher with organic acid is much safer. Acids "eat away" minerals and efflorescence, as well as the surface of the concrete or brick. But it is difficult to acid-clean vertical walls.

RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner provides a user- and environment-friendly way to clean concrete, bricks, and masonry. It is easy to apply and quick. It leaves no residue to have to rinse off.

In case you have to remove paint or mastic first, you can use our Paint & Mastic Remover .

The Safe-to-Use Efflorescence Cleaner

RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner is water-based. It does not contain MEK or other chemical solvents, is nonflammable, biodegradable, and environment-friendly. It is easy to apply with a sprayer or brush.

RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner contains a high-strength oxidant. Unlike acids, it does not burn concrete or brick surfaces and leaves no residue - there is nothing to wash off. Just let the treated surfaces dry out.

Killing Molds & Mildew

The Efflorescence Cleaner is also is most effective in killing molds, mildew, and algae on concrete, bricks, pavers, and masonry. Spray the cleaner on the walls and floors in musty or damp basements. Or use it to prevent the growth of molds in recently flooded basement. Afterwards, seal the concrete with RadonSeal penetrating sealer against capillary seepage and water vapor - reducing indoor humidity is the key to fighting molds and mildew, as well as musty odors.

Typical Cleaning Applications

Clean poured concrete, concrete blocks, bricks, stucco, pavers, and man-made stones. RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner emulsifies, reacts with, and removes:

• efflorescence
• lime deposits
• metal salt stains
• molds and mildew.

Typical brick or concrete cleaning projects:

• cleaning efflorescence off exterior brick walls and chimneys
• cleaning pavers in pool deck or patios
• removing efflorescence off basement walls and floors, or foundation slabs
• cleaning brick fireplaces
• restoration or renovation of older buildings or structures
• killing molds and mildew in damp or musty basements
• cleaning laitance on new concrete (must be at least 10 days old and thoroughly dry)
• stone monuments.

When it is not Efflorescence

RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner is very effective on efflorescence – dissolved salts, lime, and alkalis carried by water migration to the surface and left behind after the water evaporates.

Carbonation: Over a number of years, lime (calcium hydroxide) in the efflorescence gradually reacts with carbon dioxide in the air (carbonation), forming calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The carbonate is hard to remove with the Efflorescence Cleaner – its removal requires acids.

• A thick rocky build-up (calcium carbonate) is created by long-term efflorescence and carbonation. It has to be removed with a chisel or grinder and cleaned with acids.
• When mortar, plaster, or stucco with a high lime content is exposed to water, rain or sprinklers, the lime gets washed out and runs down on the surface. The dissolved lime reacts very quickly to become carbonate. White streaks on brick walls are typical. This is not efflorescence and the clean-up requires acids.

The Efflorescence Cleaner also cleans most mineral deposits but it depends on their chemical composition. Not effective on deposits with high iron content.

Preparation

Remove any oil deposits with a dishwashing liquid (Dawn), detergents, or degreasers. You can remove oil stains, paint or mastic with our Concrete Cleaners & Paint Strippers.

The concrete or brick surfaces must be completely dry (below 20% moisture content).

Cover all other objects like fixtures, windows, metallic frames, and plants to protect them against over-spray.

Concrete Cleaner Application

It is critical to thoroughly mix the Efflorescence Cleaner with the included mixing tool. Mix for about 5 minutes, letting it settle when it foams up. Mix or shake also between applications. (If it has not been well mixed, it will leave an oily deposit on the surface, which has to be washed off with a dishwashing liquid like Dawn in warm water.)

Apply the cleaner with a low-pressure (garden) sprayer or a brush. Preferably, use a sprayer made entirely of polyethylene ("Roundup") or stainless steel to avoid gradual degradation of parts. Use gloves, goggles, and a hat during application.

Allow the concrete cleaner to react and emulsify the deposits. While still wet, re-spray heavily effloresced areas. If needed, vigorously scrub heavy deposits with a stainless steel wire brush.

Just let the surface dry and if necessary, sweep it clean. Avoid applying water, which would re-activate efflorescence inside the concrete or mortar.

RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner pail label in PDF.

Prevent the Return of Efflorescence

To prevent the efflorescence from coming back, deep-seal the concrete or masonry against water migration and efflorescence. First, let the cleaner work inside the surface for a day. Then, seal the concrete and block walls with RadonSeal Penetrating Concrete Sealer or brick walls and pavers with LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer.

Coverage and Price

The coverage depends on the amount of efflorescence, which is usually only spotty. But assuming a continuous layer, the typical coverage is 150–200 sq. ft. per gallon. Heavy deposits may need re-spraying.

This concrete cleaner is shipped in special vented 5-gallon pails. The amount shipped is either 5 gallons or 2.5 gallons (half-filled).  

Shipping by UPS Ground only to the lower 48 states. (Cannot be shipped by air.) Normally, ships the same or next working day and UPS delivers within 3–5 working days.

Commercial topics

Returns: This product is not returnable.

Disclaimer: Read the product label, instructions and precautions! The purchaser shall determine the suitability of this product for the intended use or varied methods of application. We do not provide any warranties regarding the suitability or performance of the product and shall not be liable for any injury, loss, direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising out of the use of this product. Test the product in a sample area first.

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telephone toll-free 1-800-472-0603 or 203-225-0367

MADE IN USA
Products not sold through retail stores. Available exclusively from:
Radon Mitigation & Concrete Waterproofing Co.
Novion Inc., 18 L'Hermitage Drive, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
RadonSeal™ is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1998-2010. All rights reserved.