One of the most frequent stains we find on driveways and concrete surfaces are rust stains, especially on exposed aggregate. These orange & brown looking stains are unsightly and distract from the from an otherwise clean a beautiful surface.
What causes rust stains?
While there can be many causes for rust stains, the main culprit on exposed aggregate surfaces are ironstone that are exposed on the surface. This can happen when the stone sourced for the concrete is river stone that is known for having ironstone or also known as iron pyrite. When these dark coloured stones lie on the surface and are exposed to air and water, they will begin to deteriorate (think of rust on a car) and will produce a a rust stain that will run across the surface.
If is just one little pebble of iron, the stain will be minor and hardly noticeable. However, if you get a concentration of ironstones in an area, if can produce a large stain like in the picture shown. Over time, the iron stone will deteriorate to a point that it will just pop out of the exposed aggregate.
How to remove rust stains?
We use a bio-degradable product that, depending on the severity of the stain, will remove all or most of the stain from your surface. Minor stain removal is included in our price and multi-step process, larger stains like the one shown may incur an additional charge.
How to prevent rust stains from forming or returning?
Rust occurs when the ironstone in the concrete is exposed to air and water. A surface that is left unsealed will allow the air and water to interact with the iron and produce rust. Allowing Malibu Driveways to seal your exposed aggregate with one of our speciality formulated wear coasts is great preventative maintenance for your driveway. Ultimately, the best way to ensure the rust stains don't return is to remove the individual ironstone that is the culprit of those ugly rust stains.
Have rust on your exposed aggregate in the Kelowna area? Give us a call and we'll take a look and provide a FREE no obligation quote.
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