How To Fix Efflorescence

The Cause

Bricks are joined with mortar and other binding materials that may contain calcium carbonate. When rainwater encounters these binding materials, acids and salts that are dissolved in the rainwater can liquefy the calcium carbonate and other materials. 

Through gravity and capillary action, these dissolved minerals can then penetrate through brick materials to interior walls. When the water within this mineral-rich solution evaporates, it leaves behind salt deposits on brick exteriors and internal walls called efflorescence.

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How to Fix Efflorescence

Current Problems

To remove efflorescence already present on exterior brick, these are your options:

• Lightly pressure wash efflorescence on brick with approved commercial cleaning solutions 

• If no pressure washer is available, use stiff brushes and efflorescent-cleaning products

Once every trace of efflorescence is removed, the exterior surface should be repaired and interior walls should be repainted.

Make sure that the original source of moisture is removed, if it is ground-based, or the same problem may reoccur.

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