White/ Clouded Sealer
We stained/sealed (solvent based acrylic) a slab about a year and half ago. We stained after framing and protected. The house was completed about six months later and we went back to wax and burn the floors. At this point the floors looked great. About 6 months later we get a call from the owner that areas of the floor are turning white. We assumed, even though it has not rained in two years, that it was a moisture issue and we repaired the areas. We got another call back last week that areas of the floor was once again turning white. We went to investigate. The same areas that we had repaired had turned white. This time we took time to further investigate. We noticed that the areas under the couches and a area rug were not turning white. I asked the owners what they were cleaning with, and they stated vinegar. Since vinegar is an acid and the sealer is semi-permeable, would the vinegar cleaning solution be the cause of our issues?
NEVER clean with ANY type of vinegar solution ...NEVER clean with any of the ALL NATURAL orange citrus based cleaners ... NEVER clean with Pinesol ... NEVER clean with anything that contains any types of acidics (organic or inorganic). What you are describing is self-vandalizing of their own floors (due to improper cleaning and maintenance practices) ...they would not dream of cleaning their floors with muratic acid, common sense would tell them that this could damage their finish/appearance/etc; however, the public (residential & commercial) seem to be taken in by the the terms "all natural, green safe, etc" and will use anything/everything that has this sort of lable (which they SHOULD NOT be doing)... furthermore, 95% of them have no idea of the amount of cleaner they added to water (all cleaners have a cleaner to water mix ratio that must be properly metered), and they MUST rinse their floors thoroughly with CLEAN/fresh water and not use the same sponnge or string mop that still has soap & residue in it. They wouldn't wash their car or clothes and not rinse them with fresh/clean water ... wash their hair with shampoo and not rinse it all out ... wash their dishes and not rinse the soap residue off them ... but, they will slop/mop water with detergents/cleaners all over their floor, not rinse thoroughly, then complain and want to point the finger of blame on anyone/everyone when their floor goes to hell (loss of gloss, etching, discoloration, etc); pointing their finger at you/contractor and/or the materials you applied, expecting you to restore their floors beauty at no cost to them (WRONG). This is why providing them with a Proper Care & Maintenance of Decorative Concrete Surfaces (at the time of application), that you and they sign and date (both parties keeping a copy), will deter this type of situation from occuring (of course signatures provide evidence that they were professionally informed and provided with the "do's & don't" document); this being the reason that I wrote it up initially (have been sharing it with contractors, suppliers, etc as well as commercial & residential property owners, property management companies and their maintenance engineers, etc. for more years than I can remember.
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They should only be cleaning with neutral balanced cleaners, that are non-film forming (not necessary to rinse, which they fail to do in most cases anyway).
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If you want a copy of my Proper Cleaning and Maintenance document (has place for your signature and that of your customers), with both of you keeping a copy for use/records simply drop me an email: Lindy.Ausburne@gmail.com If you ever have questions/concerns in reference to any trade related issue or problem feel free to give me a call either on my direct DCF line (254-212-5536 shown on the top of every forum page) or call my cell phone 254-498-6635 at your convenience. I'm really available to help if/whenever needed.
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Lindy A.
After too many reapplications of sealer, there comes a time when the coating can no longer breathe. When this occurs, moisture builds up and condenses under the sealer, making it turn white and cloudy. It typically does not occur in all areas and often appears random and streaky.
I am sure you found your culprit. To verify take a sample board (cement) and seal with the sealer and let cure. Now pour a puddle of vinegar and let sit. Pour several puddles and let sit for different lengths of time before wiping up. catalogue the results and now you have a basis for charging for your repairs!. I am sure Lindy will chime in on the ph factor. Any cleaning agent should be ph neutral. That is clearly stated on the maintenance and cleaning schedule I leave my customers. I got this schedule from Lindy. Any acrylic is susceptible to acids.