Discuss Efflorescence problem in the Specialist Tile -Stone, Porcelain, Glass area at TilersForums. The USA and UK Tiling Forum (Also now Aus, Canada, ROI, and more)
Hi all
I was hoping to call in to a job today to seal some large format Tuscany Limestone but it has a small number of small efflorescence patches on some 50m2 o Limestone around the perimeter of the tiles.(20mm Limestone on Ditra on a screed with commissioned UFH using Kerakoll H40 eco marmorex)
So......is it a matter of waiting for the salts to recede?
adding heat?
or can the salts be wiped off and proceed to seal?
try washing, use a white pad in need, or soft broom, should come of easily.
leave to dry before sealing
Yeah, I washed over the whole floor as a matter of course.
As the (fluff) is a very similar to the colour of the Limestone it is very hard to see unless you look closely.
Could the efflorescence return.
( forgot to say that the tiles had been down for approx 6 days)
yes could return until all the salts and moisture are out the stone. I had it build up 10mm high in places on a 20mm limestone job a few years back.
I would leave it another week with heating on low and check again if possible.
I might have to give someone a ring about turning the heating on low.
Not sure about being able to leave it another week though......the usual thing......''the tiler being the meat in the sandwich''
20mm limestone could take many weeks to dry out properly and be ready for sealing, even if stored under cover before fixing to try and keep dry.
the efflorescence will be easy enough to remove.
That's the curious thing......it was all stored inside the house as soon as it arrived on site.
From my point of view, the unknown was(the customer supplied) 'rapid' setting adhesive was a bit on the slow side.......a stated 3hrs and being used in relatively cold environment.
Well when I say cold.......it's been positively balmy temps up't North for the last week!
yes but where was it stored before that? suppliers yard? importers yard? and as you say all the water from the adhesive.
Balmy meaning mild 8-14 degrees!
Don't think it went - degrees at nights either.
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