Removing limescale from apartment steps (see picture)

RonnieL

Hi Guys,

I live in a duplex house with steps going up to the front door. There is an ongoing issue with what I think is limescale forming on the steps. The steps weren't particularly well designed in that water seems to pool on them which I think is the root cause, but short of ripping them up, I don't think I'm going to be able to solve that aspect.

However, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on a chemical or something that could be applied to the steps to help loosen and remove the stuff that has built up, without damaging the steps and making them look even worse?

I had tried a power hose before, which didn't work, and then the management company tried an industrial power hose with a special attachment, which also didn't work (it did succeed in making a mess of the paint on the walls either side of the steps however, but that's another matter).

Anyway, I've attached a picture of the steps. Any tips would be much appreciated. Googling hasn't yielded anything.

Cheers,

Ronan

jack of all

This is more than likely efflorescence, where salts within the material leach out as the steps get wet. By just washing down all you are doing is making the dried salts soluble and they leach back into the steps to leach out again in time! Best thing to do is use a stiff brush or scraper to dislodge as much of the salts as you can, brush up the dust or use a vacuum cleaner to remove as much of this as you can. Over time you should be able to remove the worst of the salts but it is a common issue and very much part of our damp climate.

RonnieL

jack of all wrote: »

This is more than likely efflorescence, where salts within the material leach out as the steps get wet. By just washing down all you are doing is making the dried salts soluble and they leach back into the steps to leach out again in time! Best thing to do is use a stiff brush or scraper to dislodge as much of the salts as you can, brush up the dust or use a vacuum cleaner to remove as much of this as you can. Over time you should be able to remove the worst of the salts but it is a common issue and very much part of our damp climate.

Thanks Jack. Glad I posted now. I'll see how I get on removing what I can with a brush or scraper. Having googled efflorescence just now, it seems there are some checmical products out there, but that should be my last resort?

jack of all

Those chemical products are probably acid based (like brick cleaners), they will certainly remove the salts but on a horizontal surface there's a good chance you will just wash the disolved salts back into the steps. Best course of action would be to mechanically remove as much of the salts as you can by brush and scraping, vacuum up the dust and then if you wish you could try the cleaner after. I wouldn't use those products too often though as they can break down the surface of the concrete if over-used. If you look at any stone or concrete bridge you will see similar efflorescence or salt leaching out, especially at joints.