Patio Pavers made from recycled tires

[home owner]

About 5 years ago, I put Envirotile? rubber pavers on my concrete p atio.

The surface of the pavers has become discolored (efflorescence?) and dirt a nd other debris has collected between and under the tiles.

I'm going to pull up the tiles, hose off the concrete and spray a mild dete rgent solution on the tiles to remove the dirt.

How can I get rid of the white discoloration on the tiles? Can I repaint t he tiles?

[gfretwell]

I have never seen a "recycled tire" product that was worth a shit. There is a reason why they are not tires anymore. Our city fell for the recycled tire playground surface. A few years later they dug it all up and hauled it away..

[Frank]

From their website:

The white spots you see on your tiles are referred to as efflorescence. Efflorescence is caused when soluble salts and other water materials come to the surface of concrete and mortars. In this case, because the tile is porous, it rises to the surface of envirotile?. Efflorescence will dissolve in water, so pressure washing or wet scrubbing with a soft brush and mild detergent will remove the stain and it will wash away. You must be careful to rinse the surface with fresh water so that no residue is left to dry on the tile.

Interesting product. I see warranty is 5 years. They say sunlight does not affect but usually plastic products do age and oxidize. Tires can dry rot and I might expect it here.

[home owner]

The rubber tiles have shrunk so now:

1/2" to 1" wide gaps have developed between the tiles

the sides of the tiles have turned up

The combination has resulted in a tripping hazard.

[gfretwell]

Dig that crap out, throw it away and get something more appropriate for a walking surface.