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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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14y ago
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7mo ago

Concrete does not rust because it does not contain iron. However, steel reinforcement bars within concrete structures can rust when exposed to water and oxygen, leading to corrosion that weakens the structure. This is why concrete structures need to be properly designed and maintained to prevent rusting of steel reinforcement.

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Q: Why does concrete rust?
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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.


How do you get rust stains out of concrete?

You can remove rust stains from concrete by using a commercial rust remover or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Apply the solution to the stained area, scrub with a brush, and rinse thoroughly with water. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.


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 remove rust stains from concrete lions?

To remove rust stains from concrete lions, you can try using a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda. Scrub the affected areas with this mixture using a brush or sponge, then rinse thoroughly with water. For tougher stains, you may need to use a commercial rust stain remover specifically designed for concrete surfaces.


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 does salt water damage concrete?

Salt water can damage concrete by promoting the corrosion of the steel reinforcement within the concrete. When salt water penetrates the concrete, it reacts with the steel, causing it to rust and expand, which in turn causes the concrete to crack and weaken. Over time, this process can lead to degradation and structural failure of the concrete.


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.


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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.