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Why does concrete rust?

Updated: 9/18/2023
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13y ago

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The Red stain on a concrete surface is actually not the concrete rusting! It is an indication that the embedded steel [Re-Bar] inside the concrete is rusting and the rust color is migrating out to the surface. Concrete itself does experience corrosion that is separate and apart from steel corrosion. ASR, DEF, Efflorescence and Carbonation are the most common conditions of concrete corrosion.

A rust stain is a result of steel oxidation [rust] forming. This happens when the pH of the concrete goes below 11.5 and there is moisture and oxygen present within the matrix. The damning part of corrosion cell formation on the steel is the rust expanding and causing cracks in the concrete! This allows an easier path for contaminates, moisture and oxygen to penetrate and cause the corrosion to advance faster.. At some point these cracks will completely dis-bond the concrete from the steel causing chunks of the concrete to fall away. [Called Spalling] It is extremely important to preserve concrete from day one and prevent this "Rusting", unfortunately most people and some contractors do not understand concrete degradation principles. A majority believe that concrete is waterproof and indestructible!! Big Misunderstanding!!

The most common reason for rust on concrete is either rebar too close to the surface which will rust , or iron ore either mixed in the aggregate of the concrete or if you have a "pea gravel" decorative top coat, iron ore is quite commonly mixed in with the small stones. Sealing the pea gravel will slow it down, but it will eventually come through. I have seen entire driveways replaced because of this.

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Related questions

Will a metal bench leave a rust mark on my concrete?

If it starts to rust then it most definately will leave a rust mark on the concrete.


Why do you get rust stains?

Assuming you're talking about rust stains on outdoor brick or concrete, you could get them from the sprinkler system if the home has well water. Also, areas (generally in the US South) with high concrentrations of red clay in the earth can look like rust stains as its the iron oxide (rust) in the red clay that makes the red color. Besides the obvious of rust coming from deteriorating metal from cars, lawnmowers etc., sometimes it emanates through old concrete slabs as the metal rebar in the concrete will rust and as it rains the water tends to pull the stains to the surface.


What are the pros and cons of concrete wrought iron cast iron glass plastic and wood used in landscaping?

no it does not rust but if you rub it on your arm you will rust.


Is priming of steel in concrete required?

No. A little surface rust will not affect the performance of the steel.


Can steel wool reinforce concrete?

no. Too flexable and would rust too quickly.


How do you safely remove rust off concrete driveway?

There's a product called Concrete Rust Remover that's available from "The Rust Store" that works wonders on removing rust stains from driveways, sidewalks, etc. I had previously tried several other products with no luck, but then found this product online. It's available at http://www.theruststore.com. I have used LimeAway with fair success on small rust stains on concrete. Just squirt it on the stain and let it set a bit, then scrub a bit and rinse. It may take more than one application but the results were pretty good for me. Another product we have had great success with is F9 Cleaner from Front9Restoration.com. It removed 100% of our driveway rust.


How do you remove rust stains from concrete lions?

i have found trying baking soda made into a paste and a scrub brush. if that doesnt work CLR takes most rust stains out.


Is rusty mesh bad for concrete slabs?

Yes as the rusts will still develop if the concrete slab still moist. The strength is not as good as the good mesh.


How do you stop the golden gate bridge from rusting?

London Bridge cannot rust. It is a pre-stressed concrete bridge.


Can you use rust-oleum spray enamal on concrete?

Just Try and get it off! Seriously with the correct surface preparation anything is possible.


A Painless Approach to Removing Rust from Your Concrete Surfaces?

Many people have experienced unsightly rust stains on their concrete surfaces. This can include driveways, patio areas, sidewalks or even basement floors. The most common culprit is metal or steel furniture, planters or paint cans that rust from rain, snow and other climate conditions, resulting in moisture build-up. These ugly orange stains can be removed from your concrete surfaces with just a little effort on your part. Using common household products, you can remove these stains in a very short period of time. If the rust stains on your concrete surfaces have been around for a long period of time, these stains may need to be cleaned using commercial strength products.Gathering Your Supplies for Rust Stain RemovalSince one of your goals is to complete your task of removing rust stains in a timely manner, you will want to gather the supplies and equipment necessary for this project prior to starting it. This will help save you time from searching for these items after you begin this task.You will need a gallon of white vinegar that has acidic rating of five percent. If cleaning cement based surfaces, you will need a large bottle of lemon juice. Using a scrub brush and sponges is a necessity for this project. Oxalic acid is also recommended for cleaning your rust stained areas.Preparing Your Concrete Surface for Rust RemovalPrior to removing rust stains on your concrete surfaces, you will need to prepare the area. To do this, you will need to completely sweep any dirt and debris from the surface. If the concrete area is heavily soiled, you can simply wash it with plain water to clear the area.Treating Rust Stains on Concrete SurfacesTo treat rust stains on your concrete surfaces, you can directly pour your vinegar onto the stain. The acid in the vinegar will help to loosen the rust, making it easier to clean the concrete surface of your driveway, patio and basement floor. Allow the vinegar to absorb into the rust stain for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. Using your scrub brush, scour the area until the rust stain disappears. Rinse the area with clean water. If you are dealing with a tough stain, repeat this process as needed.If you are working on a cement based surface, use lemon juice in place of the vinegar. The lemon juice works better on this type of material for removing rust debris and stains. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to completely wash away the lemon juice from the surface.Removing Set-In Rust StainsSet in rust stains are harder to remove than stains that are newly formed. To clean stubborn, hard-to-remove rust stains, you will need a commercial cleaning product that contains oxalic acid. This should only be used as a last resort, and only after using the vinegar and lemon juice methods, as the oxalic acid is highly toxic and dangerous to deal with. Packaged mainly in a crystallized form, this type of cleaning product is often times mixed with water to form your cleaning solution. It is extremely important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions that are specific for the cleaner you purchase. Make sure that you avoid contact with animals, children and vegetation around your home when you rinse the solution from the concrete surface.


What are the advantages of using concrete instead of these traditional building materials?

wood: wood can crack unlike concrete and wood is affected by water which can cause it to rot whereas concrete is not Metals: Metals can rust whereas concrete does not and metals can easily scratch Bricks: Bricks are more expensive than concrete and bricks take generally more 'man power' to place down whereas concrete does not. Hope this has been a good help