I have two water stains on my front steps where I removed two potted plants.
I have tried everything to remove the stains, but nothing really removes the spots.
A neighbor mentioned using a two-part epoxy paint to cover this area.
Has anyone done this with success? My concern is the moisture in the concrete and what will that do to the paint i.e., flaking, etc.
Thanks.
Kate
Not knowing where you are, has it gotten warm enough there to make sure the moisture has evaporated?
Is the concrete currently painted? If so re-paint it. If not, you might try power washing it.
Around here our concrete turns darker from tree sap and other stuff. A power washer gets it back to "clean".
I hate to have to paint things so I'd think a long time about painting concrete.
Unless you are really bothered by the sight IN THE SHORT TERM, you might just wait a while and see how that portion of the concrete weathers, now that it will be exposed to the elements in the same way as the portions surrounding it HAVE BEEN.
Bleach the concrete. Non-clumping kitty litter (the clay type) will also absorb anything water or oil based out of the concrete.Dry portland cement worked into the surface will also absorb any oils if they are involved in the staining.
Using an oxygen bleach may work where chlorine does not, or vise versa. The last thing I would do is try to make paint stick to and cover a stain.
A pressure washer may be required to get it clean too.
I've used Benjamin Moore two part industrial epoxy to do several garage floors. It's great stuff, lasts covered for over 10 years depending on traffic. Uncovered, it fades a bit over time, but still looks good. Comes in almost any color, but unless you have a unusual decorator sense, the light greys as close to natural concrete are probably best.
If the concrete is more than six months old and the footing was properly laid, there shouldn't be an issue with moisture. If the concrete is already spalling (chipping off or crumbly), epoxy won't preserve it.
It's not cheap - the good stuff is sold by the gallon and you need a gallon of each part.
Before you go that route, you might consider cleaning the concrete with muratic (swimming pool) acid. Nasty stuff, but it's also recommened as prep for the epoxy, so if it doesn't work you haven't wasted the effort.
It may just take time. Sometime sunlight and patience will fade the stain. Once you paint it, you have a chore you will have to repeat.
And then there is the easiest solution of all. PUT THE PLANTS BACK!
I'd try one of the products for iron stains and similar, available in the plumbing dept at HD, etc. If it's iron based, they make it disappear in seconds. And whatever it is, good chance they would work.
The lovely Miseries Snuffy has the same problem with the front porch - and hence my problem... Her idea is to lay bricks. I told her good idea, go ahead!
It was that kind of thinking that got me 2400 square feet of quartzite flag stones so be careful ;-) It started as a little spot and off we went.
My vote would be to not paint the concrete steps. Once you paint them, you cannot un-do that option. Once painted, they can become more slippery, they will have to be repainted every so often, and if they are outside I think they will begin to peel and flake sooner or later anyway due to the weather, water, freezing, etc.
You may want to try the pressure washer idea that others suggested. I recently pressure washed a house including the concrete block foundation on the outside. The pressure washer worked well on the concrete block (and everywhere else). I had never used a pressure washer before. I rented an electric pressure washer from Home Depot and it was easy to use. I only used plain water in it and no detergents or bleach etc. and that worked well. But, you may want to try adding bleach or detergent for your use. Others here may know if adding bleach or detergent would be a good idea or not.
If you do get this resolved, let us know what worked and what did not work.
Good luck.
My experience with using a pressure washer on concrete is that they are great at removing dirt, grime, mold, etc, but not effective at removing stains. I've seen what she has, ie stains from flower pots and I doubt a PW is going to remove them, because they have leached into the concrete. I'd try one of the rust/stain remover products made for toilets, sinks, etc.
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Or, "make it a feature" instead...
You are probably right. And, of course, trying one of those CLR-type rust/stain remover products first would be a lot easier and cheaper.
I wonder if she will try any of these options and post back here what worked or did not work.
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