Surfaces and decks
Etching
Etching is loss of surface material from plaster or tile when the water is acidic or aggressive.
Water with low pH or low calcium pulls minerals out of plaster, grout, and stone. The surface turns rough, pitted, or chalky. Etching can start slowly and show up as sandpaper-like patches.
Prevention is simple. Test water on schedule and keep pH, alkalinity, and calcium in balance. Etched plaster is hard to reverse. A pro may need to patch or resurface it. Stop the cause first, then fix the damage.
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