What Are the Two Ways in Which Efflorescence Occurs?

While efflorescence on concrete is an issue that can be fixed, it’s a lot easier to preserve and prevent when it comes to these issues. If you learn to understand how efflorescence comes to be, it’ll be much easier to do something about it. 

Whether or not efflorescence can be dealt with or prevented depends on how the stain came to be. There are two ways in which efflorescence can occur: primary efflorescence and secondary efflorescence.  

• Primary Efflorescence 

Primary efflorescence is caused by the specific material used in the cement mixture and how the mixture was processed. If the cement was mixed poorly, efflorescence stains appear two to three days after the cement is poured. This quick turnaround typically occurs with cement that’s too porous. Because of how easily moisture moves about in porous concrete, it displaces the salts quickly. If it’s been less than a year since the concrete was made and it’s stained, it’s considered to be a result of primary efflorescence. 

Dealing with primary efflorescence is extremely frustrating as a homeowner. You look forward to beautiful, smooth new concrete, only for it to develop stains a few days after creation. It’s incredibly difficult to prevent primary efflorescence stains because it highly depends on the materials used and the contractor mixing the cement.  

• Secondary Efflorescence 

Secondary efflorescence occurs when a dry concrete structure is exposed to moisture. Because the salts in concrete are soluble, they move along with the water particles as the moisture evaporates and rises to the surface of the structure. Unlike primary efflorescence, the salt content was already present, but the moisture is introduced externally. 

This kind of staining typically develops a year after the concrete is made. Secondary efflorescence is a lot easier to avoid because it’s all about preventing water from coming into contact with the concrete.