Severe Granite Effervescence problem

11fernsroad

Hi

Our house ground floor lounge has granite flooring.

I think the slabs were not sealed when installed.

Property is at least 15 years old.

Now we have patches of white powdery material over the surface,which if left alone does also make granite surface feel etched.

They clear away with mopping

How can i sort out this problem?

Removing/replacing granite slab is not an option.

Attached are some pictures including same area before and after mopping

Above pictures are the way floor looks without cleaning for 2 weeks.

It is a holiday home,and property is not in UK.

Many Thanks

RHemmings

Just out of curiosity - I'm not knowledgeable about this, is this the same as efflorescence? As described, for example, here https://quarry.tilecleaning.co.uk/dealing-with-efflorescence-problems/ 

Just reading around, it seems that tile sealers have an expected lifespan, in this page between 3 and 15 years. So, depending on the age of the tiles it might not be that the sealing was not done properly but that the sealant has reached the end of its lifespan. https://www.tilecleaners.com.au/faqs/Stripping-and-Sealing/Stripping-and-Sealing-Granite-Floors/Will_sealing_my_granite_prevent_efflorescence

The links I found online are typically from companies that provide products and/or services for solving the problem. 

Sorry about doing the 'google warrior' thing when I will know less about this than you, OP. But, I'm buying a house which has tiles in the kitchen, and my synapses fired when I saw your problem. I'm curious to know where the source of the moisture is that is causing the efflorescence. If from above, then sealant may solve that. But, if from below, what then? 

I do like your kitchen tiles, which are better than (assuming completion) mine. 

Murmansk

I think effervescence is what happens when you put an Alka Seltzer tablet in water - although I've never actually done it!

[Deleted User]

11fernsroad said:

Hi

Our house ground floor lounge has granite flooring.

I think the slabs were not sealed when installed.

Property is at least 15 years old.

Now we have patches of white powdery material over the surface,which if left alone does also make granite surface feel etched.

They clear away with mopping

How can i sort out this problem?

Removing/replacing granite slab is not an option.

Attached are some pictures including same area before and after mopping

Above pictures are the way floor looks without cleaning for 2 weeks.

It is a holiday home,and property is not in UK.

Many Thanks

So could it be the level of humidity, probably not though as everywhere else would show it ?

MikeJXE

I found this if it is any help 

Efflorescence

The good news about efflorescence is that most of the time, it is a minor inconvenience that can be remedied without having to replace the stone. When moisture evaporates from the stone, it leaves behind salts and minerals. The stone will need to be periodically professionally cleaned, but eventually all the moisture will dissipate and the efflorescence problem will disappear.

The bad news is that every now and then, efflorescence is just the visible symptom of a much bigger problem underneath the stone — moisture in the substrate. An experienced stone restoration contractor can determine whether the stone can be restored or if it will have to be replaced.