Dealing with Rust on Concrete

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated December 18, 2020)

Removing rust stains from concrete may seem a little difficult to do at first glance. However, when the proper steps are taken just about any rust stain can be removed from any concrete surface. Keep in mind though, that if you are not particularly careful, you can actually cause some serious damage to your concrete, which will lead to a need for earlier replacement of your concrete. Here are a couple of methods that you can use to ensure that your concrete is free from rust.

  • Use a power washer. You can use a power, or pressure washer in conjunction with either laundry detergent or concrete cleaner to remove rust from concrete. Make sure that you completely clean the entire concrete surface by sweeping, and then wetting the surface down. Then apply the cleaner and scrub using a stiff bristled brush. After scrubbing, simply power wash the area and you should be finished. However, you may need to repeat the process a few times before you get the stain completely removed.
  • Commercial cleaners. Most hardware stores carry commercially made and mixed concrete cleaning detergent. Usually these cleaners will come in either powdered or pre-mixed liquid forms. When using them, make sure that you follow the directions as listed on the cleaner (also, the use of a good, stiff bristled brush wouldn't hurt).
  • Muriatic acid. By applying a little bit of muriatic acid to the rust stained concrete, you are certain to remove the stain. Only one little problem with this method though, it is an acid. This means that if you are not particularly careful you cannot only remove the stain, but more of the sidewalk than you plan, as well as some of your own skin. This is an acid after all. When using this method, be sure that you carefully read and follow the directions on the back of the package as posted by the manufacturer. In addition, make sure that you are wearing proper safety equipment such as gloves and goggles before handling this material.

Finally, after you have finished removing the rust from your concrete, you will need to reseal it. This will help protect you concrete surface from getting stained again, as well as protecting it from the elements. In addition, by resealing the concrete you should also have an easier time cleaning it in the future.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Toxic Table Scraps

On the average, toxic table scraps can lead to more emergency visits to the pet doctor than any other reason. Avoid the ...

Discover More

Soil Cultivation Basics

Most beginning gardeners have a tendency to overlook one important aspect of gardening that can really help them out, ...

Discover More

How to Stop Bedwetting

Bedwetting is not only an embarrassing event for children, it also means an increase in chores and cleaning time. If you ...

Discover More

Cordless, Compact, and Powerful! DeWalt's 18-volt drill-driver kit packs a big punch in a small package, with a powerful high-performance motor tucked away inside a compact design. A great addition to the tool chest of any professional or DIYer! Check out DeWalt 18-Volt Drill/Driver Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Cleaning Your Garage Floor

If you are planning on selling your home, or simply wanting to spruce up the place you might want to think about hitting ...

Discover More

Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops are becoming more and more popular as the days go by. In fact, concrete countertops are well on ...

Discover More

Cleaning Your Driveway

A driveway is one part of the house that receives the most traffic. Because of all the wear and tear that a driveway can ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)