Brick Efflorescence

We recently removed a veneer exterior facade exposing and repointing the underlying brick. It turned out great, minus one issue of brick efflorescence that has appeared soon after the job was complete. It actually does not look too bad , some patchy white splotches that almost give it a rustic feel. Our contractor suggested waiting to see if goes away on its own, before power washing it. I guess does anyone know if this needs to be cleaned or will the elements slowly wash it away?

ohboyoldhouse

in Brownstoner Renovation 11 years and 7 months ago

4

Please log in, in order to post replies!

4 replies

Newest Oldest

ohboyoldhouse | 11 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4882 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4933 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "123068"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "ohboyoldhouse"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSW0QyRzzI25xQCmqJd8rwmk8.LHRP0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "ohboyoldhouse"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "stevensanborn@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(51) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/yeahdixon/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:20:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "ohboyoldhouse"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(123068)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks for the Advice everyone . 4 months later the brick looks amazing with no white stuff anymore. It seems like a couple cycles of rains and drying and there is nothing left but original beautiful brick. Its amazing how a bunch of bricks can you happy. It never would have been the case a couple years ago. The dry brushing did accelerate the removal but I only tested that out in a small patch.

asia_2010 | 11 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4881 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4880 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "76832"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "asia_2010"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BVHWORRFZnA4SN56pErphSx4MFK7AL0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "asia_2010"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "aplisiak@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(53) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/asia2010_01/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "asia_2010"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(76832)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Its just lime coming out of the bricks… It needs to take its course. Once all out, you will not see it again.

renovator07 | 11 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4933 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4877 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181267"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "renovator07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bp1T7pS5OT2fjza3KeufgXWvZdIKqF."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "renovator07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "superfluous2014@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:44:18"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "renovator07"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181267)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

First off, don’t powerwash brick..ever. It wears down the fired finish of the brick face, reducing it’s lifespan and effectiveness at shedding water and dirt. Second, read this article from the masonry institute for help figuring out the best way to tackle your efflorescence. It doesn’t usually go away on its own. Begin with the least destructive approach (dry brushing) and go from there. They do suggest powerwashing or sandblasting if all else fails, but I would recommend living with the efflorescence over damaging your new brick. http://www.masonryinstitute.org/pdf/612.pdf Hope this helps!

metalwork | 11 years and 7 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4882 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4883 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181255"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "metalwork"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BgabNFc8N0ORoN8SLQLSrzA9B/OzED1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "metalwork"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "sherwinmorgan@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2014-01-17 21:12:08"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "metalwork"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181255)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Ive seen this happen in the past, you should give it some time.