How to clean and fix concrete cement foundation stains?


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Old 06-05-17, 03:38 PM
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How to clean and fix concrete cement foundation stains?

My patio is a concrete/cement slab (this is the concrete that the foundation is made of when construction of the house just began, it was poured).

There are a lot of stains on it from a variety of different things.
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Any suggestions how to clean/fix? I have tried soap & water and does nothing.
 

Last edited by Shadeladie; 06-05-17 at 04:34 PM.
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Old 06-05-17, 05:28 PM
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Welcome to the forums.

Since only one thread is allowed for a topic.... it is this one.

Rust stains cannot be removed..... just lightened.
Oil stains are tough to remove.

A pressure washer is the easiest way to clean concrete.
Without one you can try any number of products.

- Pine Sol
- Coke (Coca Cola)
- There are actual concrete cleaning products available in the home improvement stores.
- Muriatic acid is an etchant and WILL clean the concrete but it is an acid and must be handled carefully. No bare feet. Gloves and safety glasses. Also available at the home improvement stores.

Don't be afraid of leaving the products on there for an extended period (except for acid)
 
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Old 06-05-17, 05:39 PM
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Yes Muriatic acid or generic hydrochlorlic acid can be had at most home improvement stores.
My question is, if once used on concrete what is the next step to reseal the etched section?
 
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Old 06-05-17, 06:02 PM
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I've only used it for very tough stains as I normally pressure wash. But in reality.... pressure washing etches too. I can see where I've pressure washed. The appearance doesn't bother me.

I guess a sealer could be used.
 
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Old 06-06-17, 03:50 AM
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There are reasons both to seal the cleaned concrete and/or leave it alone. Sealers [or paint] will make it harder for new stains to take hold and make cleaning easier but any coating [especially on an exterior slab] will wear away at some point and dependent of the coating used will need to just be recoated or possibly removed and then redone.

Bleach and TSP are my go to products for cleaning most anything on the exterior [usually for paint prep] Muratic acid will open the pores of slick finished concrete aiding it's ability to accept a coating. Not really sure what long term effect it has if a coating isn't used.
 
 

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