Rusting Spots on Driveway

[HawkinsGuy]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.

[wisbad1]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.
Wait till a couple of years when chips start falling out you’ll really be irritated.

[Kenswing]

Trying to figure out why there are nails in your driveway. A lot of the rust spots are caused by the iron in fertilizer that lands on the driveway when they broadcast it. You can use Iron Out, available at Lowes. Muriatic acid also work.

Short of removing the nails I don’t know that you’d be able to stop the rust from returning. You might try coating them with some type of lacquer.

[Bogie Shooter]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.

I would call the Warranty Dept.

[retiredguy123]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.
In my opinion, it is definitely a warranty issue.

[villagetinker]

OP, I have a treatment that can be applied to rusting metal to slow or stop this, I have used it for years when rebuilding and repairing cars. One this is dried, then i usually apply a ZINC based primer, and then the final coat of paint. In your case, maybe KILZ, followed by the suitable final color. I can give you a little of the rust treatment, if you bring over a small container, send me a PM.

[John Mayes]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.

I have two spots as well. If yours is the same, I’m pretty sure that it’s the wire twists used to hold the rebar in place that got too close to the surface when the concrete was floated and finished.

[retiredguy123]

OP, I have a treatment that can be applied to rusting metal to slow or stop this, I have used it for years when rebuilding and repairing cars. One this is dried, then i usually apply a ZINC based primer, and then the final coat of paint. In your case, maybe KILZ, followed by the suitable final color. I can give you a little of the rust treatment, if you bring over a small container, send me a PM.
Personally, I would first give the builder an opportunity to fix the problem under your warranty. Take photos.

Many people want have their driveway painted. Having these rust stains could affect the ability to have this project done. Would a driveway painting company guarantee that the rust won't seep through the painted surface? I doubt it.

[fdpaq0580]

I have two spots as well. If yours is the same, I’m pretty sure that it’s the wire twists used to hold the rebar in place that got too close to the surface when the concrete was floated and finished.

That would be an indication of poor or improper workmanship. Warranty issue. Re-pour to get it right?

[John Mayes]

That would be an indication of poor or improper workmanship. Warranty issue. Re-pour to get it right?

Maybe so. I never turned it in to warranty, (probably should have), so I don’t know how they would handle it. Sometimes they offer a choice of money or replacement for certain issues, like flooring problems, but not sure about concrete.

[fdpaq0580]

Maybe so. I never turned it in to warranty, (probably should have), so I don’t know how they would handle it. Sometimes they offer a choice of money or replacement for certain issues, like flooring problems, but not sure about concrete.

Would be interesting to see how they would handle it. They would try to blow it off as nothing since warranty work costs money. But, imho, items rusting in your concrete can weaken it and cause it to fail. But, even if it is only deemed cosmetic, they should still fix it in a proper manner.

[HawkinsGuy]

Thanks all. I think I'm going to contact the warranty department tomorrow to see what they will do to resolve.

[fdpaq0580]

Thanks all. I think I'm going to contact the warranty department tomorrow to see what they will do to resolve.

Best of luck to you.

[John Mayes]

Thanks all. I think I'm going to contact the warranty department tomorrow to see what they will do to resolve.

If you don’t mind, let us know how they address it. Good luck.

[Djean1981]

If you apply fertilizer, ensure to thoroughly sweep the driveway. The tiny granules will leave rust sports on concrete.

[Dond1959]

Would be interesting to see how they would handle it. They would try to blow it off as nothing since warranty work costs money. But, imho, items rusting in your concrete can weaken it and cause it to fail. But, even if it is only deemed cosmetic, they should still fix it in a proper manner.

Completely untrue. The warranty work is done by the subcontractor who did the original work and costs the developer nothing. We built and over the first year had zero issues with getting any problems handled. The subcontractor has a built in incentive to make it right as they want to continue doing business with the developer. We had our entire LVP flooring replaced because of problems we were having. The warranty department and the subcontractor both recognized the problem and agreed to replace it and cost us nothing. We have built several homes and the warranty work on this home has been by far the easiest to deal with.

[fdpaq0580]

Completely untrue. The warranty work is done by the subcontractor who did the original work and costs the developer nothing. We built and over the first year had zero issues with getting any problems handled. The subcontractor has a built in incentive to make it right as they want to continue doing business with the developer. We had our entire LVP flooring replaced because of problems we were having. The warranty department and the subcontractor both recognized the problem and agreed to replace it and cost us nothing. We have built several homes and the warranty work on this home has been by far the easiest to deal with.

Glad you had good experience with warranty. We had warranty also. Warranty work may be free to the customer, but somebody is paying for it.

[Altavia]

I have two spots as well. If yours is the same, I’m pretty sure that it’s the wire twists used to hold the rebar in place that got too close to the surface when the concrete was floated and finished.

No rebar or other reinforcement used in driveways here.

[fishon]

The rust spots may not be little nails at all. “Iron Clad” cement mix has iron dust added to it to raise the psi strength of concrete. It is also recommended for wet and warm environments.

[Catalina36]

I have two spots as well. If yours is the same, I’m pretty sure that it’s the wire twists used to hold the rebar in place that got too close to the surface when the concrete was floated and finished.

Sounds to me like a warranty issue!! Most likely the spots or areas need to be grinded down about a 2" diameter and at least a depth of a 1/2" into the surface, epoxied and then a repaint of the surface. Best of Luck, I am glad I purchased a preowned older home!!

[Worldseries27]

maybe so. I never turned it in to warranty, (probably should have), so i don’t know how they would handle it. Sometimes they offer a choice of money or replacement for certain issues, like flooring problems, but not sure about concrete.
because of a drainage issue they repoured my outside vestibule area

[richs631]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.

Did you notice it soon after fertilizing your lawn. That is a likely factor. Always blow excess fertilizer of walkways, driveways & patios

[Nucky]

The reason for the stains that look like rust is from a high calcium content in the sand used to mix the concrete that you got. It’s just the luck of the draw.

Can’t help with the repair but I would let someone at headquarters come out and take a look. Document everything. Good luck.

[lawgolfer]

I have several very small spots on my driveway that are surrounded by rust discoloration. The spots appear around nail heads the size of finishing nails. Any ideas on how to cover these so the rust stops. I can get the rust marks out, but they come back. It’s a home that is less than a few months old but I don’t believe it’s a warranty issue since it’s really minor, but irritating to me.
Two of the responses identify the real problem, which is the potential for the concrete to be damaged.

Rusting metal expands and will crack the surrounding concrete. The first responder said you will not be happy when you find "chips" in the surface around the rusting metal. If you do have exposed nails, this is likely to happen.

The best example of the damage rusting metal will do to concrete is Alcatraz prison. Due to a lack of fresh water on the island, the concrete was mixed on site using sea water. One of several reasons the prison was closed in1963 was that the concrete pillars were crumbling due to the expansion of rusting rebar and wire mesh. Large chunks of concrete had fallen from the pillars and the rusting rebar was exposed.

[NoMoSno]

Two of the responses identify the real problem, which is the potential for the concrete to be damaged.

Rusting metal expands and will crack the surrounding concrete. The first responder said you will not be happy when you find "chips" in the surface around the rusting metal. If you do have exposed nails, this is likely to happen.

The best example of the damage rusting metal will do to concrete is Alcatraz prison. Due to a lack of fresh water on the island, the concrete was mixed on site using sea water. One of several reasons the prison was closed in1963 was that the concrete pillars were crumbling due to the expansion of rusting rebar and wire mesh. Large chunks of concrete had fallen from the pillars and the rusting rebar was exposed.
There is no rebar or wire mesh used in TV driveways.

[OhioBuckeye]

To me it sounds like it’s either the Rerod or the wire they use to tie the rerod together. To me it could be because whoever poured your driveway the rerod or wire is very close to the surface. If the brown spots are showing it’s some type of metal! Look at sidewalks where there’s brown spots because it’s always Rerod.

[NoMoSno]

To me it sounds like it’s either the Rerod or the wire they use to tie the rerod together. To me it could be because whoever poured your driveway the rerod or wire is very close to the surface. If the brown spots are showing it’s some type of metal! Look at sidewalks where there’s brown spots because it’s always Rerod.
Watch them pour a drive or sidewalk. No rebar (rerod) is used.
If it is a nail it could be from the nails used to construct the forms.

[Worldseries27]

in my opinion, it is definitely a warranty issue.
it is. I put this out there for posterity and future researching totv members.
Do not alter your driveway in any manner until the one year warranty period is up
best of luck

[Chris Kirk]

Sounds like grade stakes that are placed to level the driveway correctly, the nail in the end of the stake allows them to find them and remove them while finishing, someone must have missed some of them, definitely check with warranty and get this corrected.

[Jeanne wilson]

Finally someone hit the nail on the head! BTW THERE WAS NOT A NAIL SHOWING…it was the size of a nail head. Concrete mix has iron in it (gravel). It can’t be helped, we are talking about stones.