This cheap and easy method for removing rust stains on concrete comes directly from an editor's hands-on, DIY experience.
How To Remove Rust From Concrete
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While concrete is a low-maintenance patio surface, it’s still susceptible to rust stains. This can be caused by metal patio furniture, grills or umbrella stands that rust in the weather and stain the concrete. Or, you could have iron in your water source like I did.
My concrete slab got rust stains on it because the lawn sprinklers were fed from a well that was full of iron. It took about eight years for it to turn a deep rusty color. So I worked out a system that was cheap, easy and effective although one of the steps did take a bit of elbow grease. Read on for a step-by-step guide to remove rust from concrete and restore your outdoor space.
Removing Rust From Concrete
The whole process only took an hour or so for an 8-ft. x 20-ft. slab. You’ll need to buy a gallon or two of for about $20, a pump up sprayer and a good stiff brush that you can screw into a sturdy handle.
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Power Wash the Slab
The first thing I did was power wash the slab to get rid of any surface dirt. I’m not sure power washing is important, but I figured any surface dirt might insulate the rust deposits preventing them from being dissolved by the next step: the acid.
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Load Up Pump Sprayer
In a pump up sprayer, I mixed a 50/50 solution of water and a product called Acid Magic. Acid Magic is a brand name for hydrochloric acid, with a stronger pH than the very same acid you have in your stomach, so always wear rubber gloves and eye protection.
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The next day, I began the process by dampening the concrete with water from the garden hose.
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Then I began spraying the acid on the concrete making sure everything had a good coat. I left the acid on for 30-minutes or so, and resprayed any areas that began to dry out.
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About halfway through, I scrubbed all of the concrete with a stiff brush. Then I rinsed everything off and let it dry. I saw that there were a few spots that needed retreating so I gave them another shot with the sprayer, let them soak, scrubbed again and rinsed it all off.
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I was afraid that all that acid would kill the grass growing against the concrete so I gave it a soaking for about an hour with a little sprinkler to dilute all that acid runoff.
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The grass did die a few inches away from the concrete but seems to be coming back two weeks later. In hindsight, a longer soaking would be a good idea.
By the way, my rust stain issues are now over because I added a water softener, which removes the iron from the well water.
FAQ
How do I keep concrete from staining?
Prevent concrete from staining by regularly applying a sealant. Also, clean up spills quickly, prevent standing water with proper drainage and promptly remove leaves.
How can I change the color of my concrete?
Concrete can be stained, painted, dyed or overlayed to change the color. Before changing the color, you’ll need to remove any previous coatings and complete necessary repairs.
