My three car garage has several unsightly areas where efflorescence is
blooming out of the concrete floor. I have power-washed the whole floor but
that only increased the efflorescence after the water dried. The
efflorescence is particular bad after I bring a car in from the rain and the
rain water dribbles on the floor.

I know that this problem is only cosmetic but a prospective buyer might be
concerned. I also understand that painting the floor or covering it with
epoxy is counter productive because it will only spall and will therefore be
more unsightly than the efflorescence.

Can I cover the concrete with a material that does not try to bond with the
concrete? Something that can be laid on the top of the concrete? Ceramic
tiles? Is thin-set impervious to efflorescence? Vinyl tiles?

Would appreciate any suggestions? Thank you

Walter

--

www.rationality.net

On Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:55:04 -0700, "Walter E."
wrote in

Would appreciate any suggestions? Thank you

I would try the vinyl tiles.
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On Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 6:41:43 AM UTC-5, CRNG wrote:
On Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:55:04 -0700, "Walter E."
wrote in

Would appreciate any suggestions? Thank you

I would try the vinyl tiles.

....hot tires will melt/discolor the tile.

On Sat, 26 Sep 2015 16:55:04 -0700, "Walter E."
wrote:

My three car garage has several unsightly areas where efflorescence is
blooming out of the concrete floor. I have power-washed the whole floor but
that only increased the efflorescence after the water dried. The
efflorescence is particular bad after I bring a car in from the rain and the
rain water dribbles on the floor.

I know that this problem is only cosmetic but a prospective buyer might be
concerned. I also understand that painting the floor or covering it with
epoxy is counter productive because it will only spall and will therefore be
more unsightly than the efflorescence.

Can I cover the concrete with a material that does not try to bond with the
concrete? Something that can be laid on the top of the concrete? Ceramic
tiles? Is thin-set impervious to efflorescence? Vinyl tiles?

Would appreciate any suggestions? Thank you

Walter

Try a spray bottle with this 6% acidic cleaning vinegar. Allow it to
set a bit and scrub the area with a nylon brush. I use it on block
walls, etc. We have high salt minerals in our soil that leaches up
into the block and driveway.

http://www.heinzvinegar.com/products-cleaning-vinegar.aspx

There are interlocking rubberized mats that would cover the floor, but you might be able to see the efflorescence through the spaces in the tiles. The acid wash is worth a try.

On Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 7:55:07 PM UTC-4, Walter E. wrote:
My three car garage has several unsightly areas where efflorescence is
blooming out of the concrete floor. I have power-washed the whole floor but
that only increased the efflorescence after the water dried. The
efflorescence is particular bad after I bring a car in from the rain and the
rain water dribbles on the floor.

I know that this problem is only cosmetic but a prospective buyer might be
concerned. I also understand that painting the floor or covering it with
epoxy is counter productive because it will only spall and will therefore be
more unsightly than the efflorescence.

Can I cover the concrete with a material that does not try to bond with the
concrete? Something that can be laid on the top of the concrete? Ceramic
tiles? Is thin-set impervious to efflorescence? Vinyl tiles?

Would appreciate any suggestions? Thank you

Walter

--

www.rationality.net

if the root problem is water under the floor, why not install a french drain? either to a pump. or gravity to daylight, since a 3 car garage is pretty big, run a couple leads from the rearof the garage towards the front, in areas you wouldnt be driving on. the walking areas.

no more water no more efflorescence.

wait say a year then if no more problems get the garage floor professionally coated with epoxy.

personally i think too many people put too much time ,effort and money trying to make their garage floor look pretty.

kinda like cleaning a toilet to eat off of........

garage floors are working surfaces.

although at home sale time making everything look perfect can net big bucksd