Why Are My Pavers Turning White?

Why are my pavers turning white? This is a common question from people once they see a whitish cloud ruining their newly installed pavers. We're going to explain why this happens and what you can do to make your pavers look immaculate again.

Why Are My Pavers Turning White?

Pavers turn white due to a naturally occurring reaction called paver efflorescence. When water-soluble salt migrates to a paver's surface through condensation or rain, it will combine with carbon dioxide to create a whitish haze. Polymeric sand haze, improper use of sealants, and poor drainage may also create a white residue.

While efflorescence may fade over time, it would stick like a sore thumb on your supposedly glorious driveway or outdoor living space. It's essential that you understand how this whitish cloud appears so that you can apply the proper solution.

Efflorescence

Pavers turn white due to the natural creation of calcium carbonate, technically known as paver efflorescence. The whitish haze becomes more pronounced as the moisture evaporates off the surface. While it can ruin the appearance of your patio or pool deck, it doesn't affect the structural quality of the pavers.

When water-soluble salts migrate to the surface, they will react with carbon dioxide in the surface of the pavers to form calcium carbonate. Weeks or months after paver installation, a whitish substance will develop on the surface of the hardscape products, regardless of the paver type.

Polymeric Sand Haze

Another reason your patio pavers are turning white is due to polymeric sand haze. This happens when polymeric sand stays on the surface of the pavers.

Once you mist the sand with water, it reacts by creating a binding agent that solidifies the joints. However, the dust left behind also forms a white appearance.

Improper Use of Sealant

Non-breathable sealants can trap ground moisture. This may develop hydrostatic pressure that can lift the coating from the pavers.

The space between the pavers fills up with moisture. Consequently, this allows condensation to result in a whitish residue.
Incorrect sealant application can also encourage moisture to go under the paver, turning the pavers white.
Using a cheap sealant with insufficient UV inhibitors can also create a whitish effect.
If your old sealant wasn't appropriately removed, applying a new sealant might also result in efflorescence.

Poor Drainage

In some cases, poor drainage can magnify or exacerbate the efflorescence. For example, when you install new driveway pavers on top of an old base, there's nowhere for the water to go.

Unfortunately, the water would only hit the base instead. This would enable natural salt to stick to the moisture and leave a white deposit on the paver surface.

How Do You Get White Residue Off Pavers?

Pavers get whitish residue due to the formation of calcium carbonate, polymeric sand haze, incorrect application of sealants, and poor drainage. As naturally as the efflorescence forms, it will fade over time. However, you can expedite this by learning how to remove efflorescence.

Try Pressure Washing

Water can pass through brick pavers and carry the dissolved salt deposits to the surface of the bricks. The salt will stay even if water evaporates, leaving a whitish tint or crystalline mess.

Wet the area.
Pour some detergent onto the pavers.
Scrub the pavers from end to end. Focus on the areas where white deposits are more evident.
Avoid going beyond 1,500 psi to avoid damaging the pavers.
Position the pressure washing tip at least 12 inches away from the paver surface. Rinse by section.

Use Cleaning Solutions

One of the best ways to remove efflorescence is to use chemical cleaners. Note that it's best to wait for at least 2 months before applying an efflorescence cleaner on newly installed pavers.

Dilute the efflorescence cleaner with warm water in a bucket. Follow the cleaner's instructions, although it's usually one part cleaner and four parts water.
Wet the paver surface, then blow off excess water. You'll only need a wet surface, not a puddled one.
Test the cleaner on a small area before applying it on a larger surface.
Use a watering can to apply the diluted cleaner on the wet surface. Let the mixture rest for at least 10 minutes.
Use a hard bristle brush to soften the white residue. Work in small sections at a time.
Rinse each area thoroughly using clean, warm water. You may also use a pressurized hose. Make sure there are no traces of foam left.
You may have to do repeated washings if more salt deposits rise to the surface to ensure that you properly cleaned the paver.

How to Prevent Efflorescence

Prevention can eliminate efflorescence problems. It's crucial that you keep salts out of the materials, avoid porosity in the hardscape products, and prevent water from seeping through the slabs. Once you remove the white residues from your driveway or patio, you can do these preventative measures to stop efflorescence from returning.

Apply quality, breathable and water-repellent sealant. Remember that non-breathable ones can trap salt deposits.
Install a vapor barrier underneath the pavers to stop moisture from seeping up. You may also consider installing wall covers or roof overhangs to protect the surface materials.
Make landscape adjustments. Include an adequate runoff area to keep water moving away. Additionally, keep your water sprinkler systems away from the pavers.
If you're still planning the paver design, our San Diego paver specialists can ensure bedding material and grading will allow proper drainage. We can use permeable geotextiles to stop salt absorption from the ground.

Conclusion

Pavers turn white because of efflorescence, polymeric sand haze, incorrect application of sealants, and poor drainage. While there are solutions, the best way to avoid this is to ensure the installation. Paver designers at Aviara Pavers follow ICPI standards to install pavers and keep them sturdy and vibrant.

Why Are My Pavers Turning White?