Rust stains are some of the most stubborn dirt to remove. Generally, these stains are products of minerals, metals, and moisture in the soil or chemicals near the concrete. In many cases, these minerals and metals come from fertilizers, metallic items, and organic sources in the ground.
Besides blemishing the concrete, rust spots may also indicate a deeper structural problem. Because of this, it’s necessary to fix these issues as soon as possible. Commonly, rust stains repeatedly happen on a concrete driveway. The oils and chemicals used in the vehicles or the organic compounds present in the area are the usual culprits of this trouble.
Suppose this is an issue yet to be resolved on your property. In that case, read this article to learn how to eliminate rust stains on your concrete driveway.
Power Wash The Area
Start by sweeping or cleaning the concrete driveway. According to Castle Window Cleaning & Power Washing, if too much stubborn dirt, grime, and rust stains have already thickened and deeply penetrated the concrete, you may already need a power washer. Hiring a concrete cleaning company with power washing services is also an excellent option.
To add extra scrubbing power and an intense water jet, you can use various types of nozzles in the process. Here are some of those you can choose from:
- Red Or 0°
It provides the highest pressure and can reach the farthest area, thus covering the most expansive space. It’s perfect for the toughest stains but not ideal for driveways with nearby brittle landscape displays since they’re powerful enough to break them.
- Yellow Or 15°
This nozzle is ideal for rust stains combined with molds and mildew. They can penetrate this dirt’s sticky and stubborn film and remove its slipperiness. Like the red nozzle, it can be too strong when used sustainably.
- Green Or 25°
It’s considered the all-around nozzle as it can remove rust stains mixed with mud. It releases a relatively strong spray, so it’s a good starting option if it’s your first time using a power washer.
- White Or 40°
This nozzle gives the broadest spray pattern. Typically, cleaners use this type when rinsing surfaces.
- Turbo
This is a particular type of nozzle that can switch various nozzle types from 0° to 15°. Because of this, it can wash with high pressure and excellent coverage.
Deep Clean The Surface
Some hardened stains may be easier to get rid of while some rust spots may be more challenging to remove. In the latter’s case, you must use a hard-bristled brush to thin out and eventually remove the stains. If the spots have spread out on the concrete, you can use a chisel, a wire brush, and a scouring pad.
In using the scraping and cleaning tools, be careful not to graze the concrete too much to avoid chipping it. Apart from manually removing the stains, you should also remove the dry leaves and similar residues that may have stuck on the concrete. You may use a bucket and a broom to dispose of the clutter. You may also seek driveway cleaning services in your area if you want to save your time and energy and let the pros do the cleaning.
Use Cleaning Chemicals Or Home Remedies
Generally, many homeowners use synthetic acid products and chemical cleaners to remove even the toughest rust stains. Although they can provide the expected results, they may harm the plants or animals near the products’ surfaces. These products are also abrasive and can irritate skin and eyes if not used according to their instructions and safety precautions.
If you’re looking for a safer option, you can use home remedies such as the following:
- lemon juice (ideal for new rust spots)
- white vinegar (better used in more stubborn rust stains)
- soda (can soften and later remove hardened rust stains)
- cream of tartar and baking soda with hydrogen peroxide (all-purpose rust remover)
In applying the home remedies, let the paste or mixture penetrate the stains before scrubbing them. For better cleaning, you can also use the earlier steps such as scraping the rust spots for better results. You may also combine the different natural remedies if necessary.
Wash The Area Again
After applying the various methods to remove the rust stains, you may need to let the surfaces dry for 15 to 30 minutes. Then, you can repeat the rust removal process if the colors are still visible. You can try the options you haven’t used on your first cleaning attempts. You may also use a power washer with soap to further clean the area.
Wrapping Up
Getting rid of rust stains may require different solutions to make them quick and effective. This article provides a set of steps and methods to guide anyone in removing various rust spots from the thinnest to the toughest. Talking to a seasoned concrete cleaner can also give more hacks and insights if you wish to have more ideas about effective rust removal.
