In the case of cast stone in the garden, it can be floor coverings, stairs but also z. B. be flower bowls. These workpieces are usually surface-processed in the factory, but do not receive any additional surface treatment. Newly delivered and laid panels can - due to storage - have different colors. As soon as uniform weathering of the visible surfaces can occur, the surfaces level out. Concrete in its various shapes and surface treatments is durable, durable and easy to care for.
Soiling that normally occurs outdoors does not penetrate the stone and is only on the surface. Suggestions are also given here for unusual cases such as the penetration of oil, grease and paint.
The following tips show: Cast stone is easy to care for in the garden too!
It is advisable to make freshly laid or relocated workpieces hydrophobic with a subsequent surface treatment. Hydrophobing means: treating with silicone to reduce water absorption as much as possible. Workpieces on which water rolls off also bind less dirt. Algae infestation is also prevented or greatly reduced. This also improves resistance to frost and de-icing salt. These water repellants can be applied by spraying, but also with a brush. When silicone is applied, neither the color nor the other appearance of the surface changes.
Workpieces assembled in stacks, e.g. B. slabs, can have efflorescence that emerges as a whitish coating. They arise in the natural hardening process of the concrete. They can arise on the one hand through the own water, but on the other hand also through external water. In any case, when the water evaporates, calcium hydroxide is transported to the surface, which crystallizes to form calcium carbonate by absorbing air carbonic acid. This is called efflorescence. However, they are not a quality defect in the workpieces. Efflorescence is loosened and washed off by soft rainwater over time.
If a quick removal of this color haze is desired, it can be removed with cleaning agents as described under "Removing stubborn dirt".
Normally soiled workpieces can be properly cleaned with a stiff broom, perhaps with the help of running water, if the intervals between the cleaning processes are not too long. It is like washing a car: the longer the time is pushed out, the more intensive the cleaning must be. If normal dirt is so firmly bound by soil and dust that it can no longer be removed with a simple brushing off, additives such as those used in household care can also be used sensibly. The additives are to be adapted to the degree of soiling. Here, too, perfect cleaning is achieved with brushes and subsequent rinsing with clear water.
If there is heavy soiling such as mortar residue, rust, algae or moss, cleaning must be carried out with acidic stone cleaners. Since concrete products in the garden are usually not finely ground surfaces, minimal attacks on the concrete surface are insignificant. Here, however, it is assumed that the workpieces to be processed have previously been cleaned of loose dirt with a broom and that they are well wetted with water before the actual treatment. The actual cleaning process with brushes and cleaning agents should be accompanied by a thorough rinsing with clear water. This not only removes the residue from the concrete surfaces, but it also dilutes the cleaning agent so that adjacent vegetation is not damaged in any way.
These impurities such as paint, varnish, tar, etc. must be removed with solvent-based cleaners. Products that make such contaminants water-soluble are particularly effective and easy to use. In the case of cleaning, it must be taken into account that cleaning agents can attack skin and clothing. Face, hands and feet must be protected in particular.
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