What Is Efflorescence?
Efflorescence looks like a fine grey and white powdery substance and/or crystals on the surface of your brick and mortar joints. It forms when moisture combines with free water-soluble salts in cement and masonry products. The moisture brings the salts to the surface of the masonry units. When it comes in contact with the air and evaporates, the salt deposits form efflorescence on the surface.
What Causes Brick Efflorescence Formation?
Cause #1: Too Much Moisture and Salt
For efflorescence to form on brick, moisture and water soluble salts (like calcium sulfate, sodium carbonate, and potassium carbonate) must be present in the masonry. Then, the masonry has to be porous enough that water evaporates to the surface, leaving behind the white crystalline salt deposit. The best way to reduce the amount of moisture and soluble salts in your masonry is during building construction.
Cause #2: Poor Construction Methods
A poorly built brick wall will let in extra moisture. That extra moisture combines with the salts in the brick and mortar to start the process that produces efflorescence.
Cause #3: Inferior Materials that Contain Soluble Salts
In addition to poor workmanship, inferior materials containing high amounts of soluble salt can make a wall more likely to cause efflorescence. Plus, if the masonry units used are of poor quality and extra porous, it will be easier for the moisture and salts to make it to the surface of the material.
*
That’s why it’s so important to hire a professional masonry contractor who will do the job right the first time! If you’re in the Garland, Texas area, give us a call at A&X Masonry. Get a FREE quote today!
Treatment and Removal Tips for Efflorescence on Brick Surfaces
Tip #1: Brush and Water
The first step in removing efflorescence from the surface of your bricks is to clean the area with a brush and water. Lightly brush the surface and then rinse with water to remove and deposits that are still on the brick wall.
Tip #2: Acid and Water
If the first step still left behind efflorescence or salt stains, then it’s time to move on to something a bit stronger. For a mild cleaning solution, use one part vinegar to two parts water. Sponge or brush it onto your walls and then rinse with clean water to remove any white stains. If you need something stronger, you could use a diluted solution of muriatic acid and water.
*Important! – Acids are dangerous. Always wear proper PPE to reduce the risk and follow the instructions on the product you plan to use. And always test a small amount of the acid cleaner in an inconspicuous area to confirm it won’t damage your brick.
Tip #3: Special Efflorescence Cleaner
One of the easiest ways to remove efflorescence from brick walls is with a special efflorescence cleaning product, like Foundation Armor Concentrated Concrete and Brick Efflorescence Remover and Cleaner available at Home Depot. Products like that are specially formulated with acids, cleaners, and detergents to remove efflorescence from a brick wall without damaging it.
But what if you’re planning a masonry project? How can you avoid efflorescence on bricks in the future?
Let’s find out.
Ways to Prevent Efflorescence on Bricks
While there’s no 100% guaranteed way to avoid efflorescence on bricks, follow these 3 steps (or make sure your masonry company follows them) in order to help prevent efflorescence from occurring.
1: Proper Construction Methods to Limit the Impact of Moisture
The best time to prevent salt deposits is while building the structure. Modern building methods that prevent water from affecting the bricks need to be followed. These will help protect not just your brickwork, but the rest of your home’s structure as well.
Methods could include:
- Installing vapor barriers
- Adding flashing and making sure it’s properly installed
- Landscaping to direct water away from your home
- Applying a waterproofing sealer where needed
- Making sure concrete is vibrated and tamped
- Making sure joints are completely filled
- Keeping materials dry and out of the rain before installation
2: Choose the Right Materials
Salts can be present in most masonry materials — brick, concrete, grout, mortar, portland cement, sand, and even clay. But higher-quality materials can reduce the amount of water soluble salts in the material. Look for washed sand and low alkali mortar as well as quality bricks or blocks.
* Clay-fired bricks will often have additives like barium carbonate that help neutralize any soluble salts so efflorescence is less likely to occur.
3: Regular Maintenance to Repair Problem Areas
Perform regular maintenance to discourage the process that causes efflorescence to appear. Check the grout and mortar joints on the wall from time to time and make necessary repairs to prevent water from penetrating the brickwork.
If you’ve got a large area of your building with a lot of joints that need to be repaired, you may need to hire a masonry company for tuckpointing repairs.
Need some help with some brick repairs? Planning a new masonry project? If you’re in the Garland Dallas, Texas area, give A&X Masonry a call now for a free consultation!
