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Efflorescence is the leaching of mineral salts from the brick and/or mortar. When the mineral deposits reach outside atmosphere, the soluble minerals precipitate out and are visible on the surface of the brick. Similar to the way salt will be visible on your boots as trhey dry in northern climats in the winter. It can be a persistent problem, a nuisance, but can usually be removed by water and a stiff bristle brush. Surface sealants could work, but then you’ve created another maintenace problem.
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Efflorescence is the leaching of mineral salts from the brick and/or mortar. When the mineral deposits reach outside atmosphere, the soluble minerals precipitate out and are visible on the surface of the brick. Similar to the way salt will be visible on your boots as trhey dry in northern climats in the winter. It can be a persistent problem, a nuisance, but can usually be removed by water and a stiff bristle brush. Surface sealants could work, but then you've created another maintenace problem.
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Stephen, To add to what Fred has already said, this condition occurs with the transmission of water thru the brick and mortar. The causes range from naturally occuring to construction defects. The treatment of the condition depends on the severity. It's really a matter of the process of elimination. There are many variables to be considered and to many to post here. It's best that you do some reading up on the subject. There's some great material in "Masonary Design and Detailing" by Christine Beall it's published by McGraw Hill, you may find it in the library. So I don't leave you empty handed, the very first thing you need to check is the proper placement and installation of weeps (24" OC min.), flashings and sealants. You have to rule out construction defects and excessive water penetration first. Hope this helps, Keith
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Thanks for the info guys . Keith they did not use weep slots . My foundation was cinderblock and the lead mason told me that because they formed the 4" brick ledege by going to a smaller block when they reached the point of the brick veneer moisture developing behind they brick would drip down throught the holes in the block and evoparate on the footing .
He also said the fact that I have a 6' porch roof running the length of the house meant the only moisture I would have would be strictly condensation .
*Just this weekend, I stacked a pallet of red common in the backyard. After the rain, I noticed the white powder. So, without the brick even being set, there was effloresence. Fred gave you the info on why & how. Eventually, it will go away. Just don't seal it yet.
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Rich, Under normal circumstances and most of the time it's true, the condition will go away or can be treated. Maybe not so easy here.
Stephen, Unfortunately you may have a construction defect by way of improper construction technique. No below grade air space should communicate with those above as it can allow continious moisture medigation to the space behind the brick. It then is absorbed into the brick with the excess condensing and runing back down into the foundation and this can keep the lower portion of the wall wet also. In the worst case sinerio there can be a raining condition in that space. If falling mortar has blocked those openings it will maintain a damp condition at the base of the veneer.
The severity of your problems will show in time and is dependant primarily on average climate conditions and interior environoment. Severity of conditions is gaged by observation. Conditions can range from minor effloresence to dampness promoting the growth of mildew or moss to wet spots. If the brick retains enough moisture frost damage can occur. Solutions may be difficult or not. As I said before this will be a process of elimination. I would not recommend sealing, it may only trap more moisture. You could face an occasional cleaning or have to employ corrective measures. It's not my intentsion to alarm you, but make you aware of the possible problems. Let's hope yours are simple. Time will tell, but 18 months is not enough.
Keith
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Good post by Keith. But, the most telling in what he said is; 18 months is not enough time. Well, alright, he strongly urged calculated observation too. Stephen needs to watch closely and wait, besides digging into the true cause.
Question, where in the brick job is the effloresence noticed? Down low? Higher up? Running down the wall starting at a joint?
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Stephen, Again, it's not my intention to scare you and your problem is hopefully minor. Rich is starting with the right questions. Fred question is valid and you may find an interior environment problem there. I think you should get the idea. I once took a week long course at UW concerning field inspection responsibility. The underlying principles were cause and effect and the importance of proper application. I remember about a day and half spent on mostly brick construction. It's was amazing. Good Luck, Keith
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I'm a trim contractor in Southern Md. I built my own house about 18 month ago and have just noticed what I believe is called efflorescence on small portions of the brick front .
Any information on why this occurs and how to get rid of it would be greatly appreciated . The brick front was put over OSB with a tyvek vapor barrier if it is relevant to this problem .