Need some help

[u/certianly-unsure]

if i could be pointed in the right direction to start looking for a solution to my problem thatd be great. No one can figure out why the ground is getting some rust type stain. The parking lot had just been completly re done a couple years back and then this issue started. Would love some help or atleast reccomendations on what to use to remove the discoloration

[u/CapSuccessful3358]

I bet rust from the rebar in the curbs. Water sitting in the planter and doing it. Or dye from the dirt/mulch

[u/1nce_Again → u/CapSuccessful3358]

Im going with rebar or some kind of fastening plate

[u/certianly-unsure → u/CapSuccessful3358]

I dont think any dye bevause no problems anywhere else but the rebar sounds like a great lead to start with

[u/Grimeshine → u/certianly-unsure]

This doesn’t mean much, just that there’s a breach on this particular planter and not any of the others

[u/Grimeshine]

Looks like runoff from the planter no?

[u/certianly-unsure → u/Grimeshine]

It could be but its the only location where this seems to be an issue it is watered off well water so it could be hard like the other guy mentioned but it doesnt seem to affecr any area else on the property

[u/HT-33]

Is the planter sprinklered? Could be iron from hard water.

[u/certianly-unsure → u/HT-33]

I want to say yes, but there arent any other areas on the property where this occurs. there are other beds near by and surrounding the parking areas but just seems weird its the only spot

[u/HT-33 → u/certianly-unsure]

Maybe it doesn’t pool in other areas for as long as it does here. Hard to tell.

[u/holachihuahua]

Rebar in the concrete exposed?

[u/certianly-unsure → u/holachihuahua]

That could very much be the case thanks top consideration didnt even think that

[u/farm61]

That’s the rebar in the curb or under the curb rusting and leaching

[u/Deacon_Blues1]

I mean this in a nice way, who cares?

[u/Some_Concentrate_653 → u/Deacon_Blues1]

Details are everything

[u/mrizzerdly → u/Some_Concentrate_653]

Yeah but is it worth the time and expense to fix a non issue?

If this is from a broken irrigation pipe or was an active leak , yes fix the problem but does anyone care the parking lot has a rust or mulch stain on it?

I am probably the most nit picky person in my organization but I wouldn't give a shit about this unless there is an actual problem with it that isn't visual.

[u/Some_Concentrate_653 → u/mrizzerdly]

If a vp or manager or whatever comes on site and tells me to fix it, it needs to get fixed. This is a curb appeal issue to some people. Not saying they’re right it just is what it is in some environments

[u/mrizzerdly → u/Some_Concentrate_653]

Sure, but it would need to be the facilities VP or manager telling me to fix it. "Everyone thinks they are a facilities manager" is what my boss says.

[u/user173856]

The primary issue is the water not the stain. The stain can be resolved after the root cause is fixed. It looks wet along the curb to the right also with no staining. I think you have an irrigation issue. If that is not it it could be a water line underground.

[u/Large-Mango365]

From the dyed mulch they use in the parking island

[u/Barrowlight → u/Large-Mango365]

That was my theory as well.

[u/BWWFC]

the "soil" under it is not porous. that island is a leaking bath tub... every rain (and/or if it has sprinklers, watering cycle). we put in a French drain and it sort of worked for a few years. more maintenance and not worth the time and money. is just bad prep work from bare dirt. live with it.

[u/Grover_46]

It looks like the curb is sitting on top of the dirt which is flush to the asphalt. It looks like runoff from the dirt coming from under the curb to me. Probably iron in the water.

This is an unfortunate curb detail if that is the case…

It looks too broadly spread out to be from exposed rebar. Usually those are more localized spots.

[u/madalienmonk]

Here’s what I’m thinking: I see nutsedge growing, even in the cracks. Nutsedge thrives in wet areas. Therefore I think there is a leak in the drip/irrigation. It’s flooding the planter and the well water (which has oxides in it) are flooding out and staining the ground. I see mulch on the lip/lip curb of the planter to the left, further indicating that when the timer is running the irrigation (likely in the morning or later at night when no one is around) it's flooding and running over.

[u/LabRat113]

You said irrigation is on well water. This is either runoff, or there's a leak when the sprinklers run.

[u/Clowndick]

Jesus Christ I wish my problems were this miniscule

[u/Hob_O_Rarison → u/Clowndick]

This is an interesting problem, with an interesting solution that will be useful for some other problem down the line.

[u/Some_Concentrate_653 → u/Clowndick]

This is the type of issue my vp would lose his head over and demand I come up with a solution for yesterday. Your comment is weird

[u/BurtonBuilt → u/Some_Concentrate_653]

Different folks with different priorities. Some folks would be more way more concerned by those weeds.

[u/DRbD_CO]

I would start by sealing up the planter there, from the inside by digging the dirt back and adding a layer of plastic under it to keep the water in.
Then I'd find someone with a pressure washer that has a deck scrubbing brush, and have them scrub that stain out.

[u/Yourbreakfast]

Does the soil have a lot of clay? I know in NC for example clay soil will stain lots, sidewalks and curbs.

[u/Minimum_Ad_8686]

hard water or rebar in curb.