Masonry can add beauty to any home. Whether it’s used on the home itself or as the material for porches, steps, patios, walkways, driveways or more, there’s nothing quite like masonry to add curb appeal.
In addition to the beauty it provides, brick, natural stone and other materials are also extremely durable and relatively maintenance-free. That’s why many homeowners choose these materials for outdoor installations, especially in harsh-weather climates.
These materials do require some ongoing maintenance, though, to ensure they are working in tip-top shape and looking good, too. If you have these materials at your home, one thing you might have noticed is a white powder that appears on them.
This is what’s called efflorescence, and it’s something that you should address right away. Below, we’ll discuss in more depth what efflorescence is and how you can fix it if you notice it on your brick, masonry or other materials.
What is Efflorescence?
Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts that can form on the surfaces of buildings if there is water present. Efflorescence can form on brick as well as other building materials such as natural stone, concrete, stucco and more.
It will appear as either a greyish or white powdery substance. If you notice it on your building or other outdoor installations, it’s extremely important to fix it as soon as possible, and it also requires special care to treat it.
In order to maintain the integrity of your building materials, it’s very important to prevent efflorescence from forming in the first place.
Causes of Efflorescence
So, what can cause efflorescence to form? There are three conditions under which it can form — rain, snow or water.
Primary efflorescence happens within the first 72 hours of usage of the building material. Secondary efflorescence, meanwhile, happens over time due to ongoing exposure to moisture.
Materials that are used for construction can absorb moisture from either rain, snow or damp soil, which can lead to efflorescence forming. If the installation process isn’t done correctly, excess water at the site can also cause efflorescence.
Types of Building Materials Affected
Any porous material is susceptible to efflorescence, since water and moisture can seep inside. This includes materials such as stone, concrete and brick, to name a few.
In fact, efflorescence can occur on any unsealed surfaces, which includes pavers and other masonry products.
It’s not just water and moisture that’s in the air that can cause a problem, either. Any building materials that come into contract with the ground could also be susceptible to efflorescence due to the moisture that’s in the ground.
That’s why choosing the correct building materials is so essential to help prevent efflorescence from forming.
Prevention and Maintenance
The best way to stop efflorescence is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Prevention in this regard all starts with proper site practice.
All building materials that are used outdoors should be designed to prevent water from penetrating into them and from taking on excess moisture. In addition to using the correct materials, contractors who follow proper building and construction techniques can also help prevent efflorescence.
Once everything is installed, conducting regular inspections can help to identify potential issues and allow you to address them immediately before they turn into major problems. These inspections, along with regular maintenance, can also help to prevent efflorescence from forming.
Identifying and Diagnosing Efflorescence
So, how can you correctly identify and diagnose efflorescence during these regular inspections? Understand that efflorescence will appear as a white, powdery substance on materials, and it usually will appear only on surfaces that are unsealed.
When you’re conducting inspections, look for this powdery substance on the material’s surface. If the white mark looks to be within the material itself, then it is likely a stain and not efflorescence.
Understanding the difference between the two is essential, as it’ll help you determine first how to correct the problem and then second how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Keep in mind that you should check the entire installation during these inspections. Remember that it’s not just moisture in the air that can cause efflorescence, but also moisture from the ground.
Removal and Treatment
The one good thing about efflorescence is that it is only temporary and often can naturally be removed by washing it away with water. In more extreme cases, you may need to hire a professional to effectively remove the efflorescence.
Most of the time, you should be able to remove efflorescence by dry brushing it away, using clear water repellents and applying coatings. You could also use muriatic acid, either in its pure or diluted form, to remove efflorescence, but if you do so, make sure that you take all safety precautions, as you’ll be working with a chemical.
Also ensure that you wash away any and all chemicals that you use to remove efflorescence, and take special care of the ground and any landscaping in the area.
Once the efflorescence is removed, consider whether you need to seal the materials to prevent it from appearing again in the future, or whether there’s anything else that needs to be done.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Efflorescence can be a major problem for homeowners, as it can cause significant damage if it’s not identified and removed in a timely manner. The good news is that it can easily be removed if it is present, and there are many techniques you can take to prevent it from forming in the first place.
Through regular inspections and maintenance, you can identify and then address any potential issues before they can even become a major issue.
If you’re installing a new masonry project, choosing the right materials and following the right construction and building techniques can also help prevent efflorescence from the beginning.
That’s why it’s so important to hire a masonry contractor who is experienced and knows what they are doing.
At All Brick, we have been mastering the art of masonry for more than 10 years now. Our experienced professionals know how to properly design and construct masonry projects to prevent efflorescence from ever appearing.To learn more, or to get a free quote, please contact us today.
