Masonry Magazine September 2005 Page. 29
Rust stains can be removed, sometimes with up to 100 percent effectiveness. The key is using proprietary cleaners made for that purpose. Here, a contrast is shown between uncleaned (left) and cleaned sections of a concrete brick wall.
Post construction clean down with muriatic acid dissolved and "mobilized the metallic salt Vanadium in these light-colored bricks, resulting in wide-spread metallic staining.
Rust Stains at Merrill Lynch
SOMETIMES WATER, by itself, can cause metallic staining. Merrill Lynch headquarters in Detroit got a good dose of these stains from its own sprinkler system.
The Detroit water supply is high in iron, explains Barron of Seals Inc. After about 10 years of sprinkler water splashing on the light-red brick walls, orange stains were visible where the water was deposited. Workers took the rust off the brick without harm, again using a proprietary liquid cleaner made for the purpose.
Unless the condition that caused the staining is corrected, in most cases the metallic staining will simply reoccur. The answer to this maintenance issue, Barron says, is the use of a breathable, penetrating water repellent. Today's most advanced silicone-based water repellents can keep water and the problems it causes out of every kind of masonry.
There are many different kinds of water repellents. They can enhance substrate appearance or leave it unchanged. The bottom line is that water can't deposit stains in masonry if it can't get into the masonry to begin with.
The discussion of water repellants is the topic of a whole different article, though.....
For a free copy of PROSOCO's guide to common brick staining, call toll-free (800) 255-4255, or e-mail customer care@prosoco.com.
Gary Henry is a business communication specialist with PROSOCO, a manufacturer of products for improving and preserving the appearances of architectural surfaces.
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