Concrete Rust Stains Explained

Who would have thought, “rusty concrete”. Oftentimes this rust appears out of nowhere. One minute your curb appeal is beautiful and the envy of the neighborhood. Next, your concrete has turned a deep orange and is the focal point of your home. But don’t worry! There is a solution to these concrete rust stains, and luckily for you we are the experts.

First, let’s understand what is causing these stains…

Know Where These Rust Stains Come From

The most important thing to fixing something, is understanding what caused it. Concrete rust is no different. I often tell property owners this because it will help them prevent future stains and save them money by not having to call us every year. Preventive care is the best care, so here are the three main causes of concrete rust stains;

Irrigation Systems

Did you know that many water sources contain iron? Well it’s true, and unfortunately it is especially true in Monmouth County, NJ. When iron combines with water, rust occurs. For this reason, the most common cause of rust on concrete is irrigation systems. Oftentimes, sprinkler systems will overspray over, across or onto concrete sidewalks, walkways and patios. This causes a major problem for many homeowners, including myself.

I’m sorry to say, there is very little you can do to prevent this cause of rust. This is an unfortunate answer, but your solutions are limited to the following;
-Using a whole home water filtration system to remove the iron from your water.
-Rearrange your sprinkler system to not spray on the concrete
-Schedule routine maintenance with All Clean Exteriors

Metal Lawn Items

Unbeknownst to many property owners is the material their lawn furniture, decorative items and architectural elements are composed of. Many times, these items contain metal, whether on the inside or outside. If this metal is exposed to moisture, then rust will occur. This rust will often drip onto patios and walkways causing a stain. Prevent this by keeping these metal items away from solid surfaces. Or ensure your furniture and items do not have exposed metal.

Battery Leaks

Battery acid can leak from landscape items, children’s toys and more. This causes a similar appearance to the aforementioned rust stains. Don’t be alarmed; these stains are easily removed and prevention is as simple as putting items containing batteries in another area away from solid surfaces.

Concrete Rust on Walkway Before Power Washing

Help! My Concrete is Rusting

That rust is not going to go always on its own. Rust can be a tough stain for a homeowner to remove from concrete. Also, the longer the stain has been there, the harder it is to remove. Using water and some elbow grease won’t cut it. It requires a special cleaning process including the use of specific cleaning solutions. Give us a call now, get your free instant estimate and we will happily come out and remove those stains for you. If you’re not satisfied, you will receive 100% of your money back.