BRICK ISSUE GUIDANCE :
​EFFLORESCENCE ​SALTS WITH BRICKWORK
​SYMPTONS, PREVENTION, CURE.

EFFLORESCENCE is the most common visual remedial complaint with brickwork after construction.  It is the depositing of the water-soluble white salt crystals on the face of brickwork. 

It is harmless but is unsightly and unattractive, hence people tend to complain or want to remove it.

It can form on any type of clay or concrete brick, recon or natural stone, and can also from mortar.
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It is particularly prevalent on new build construction, appearing to various degrees in the days/weeks/months after construction, often referred to as ‘building bloom’.

It can also occur on older brickwork, particularly when the brickwork has been exposed to prolonged damp.

Hence, why it is frequently seen on brickwork which has been saturated through a building damp issue, and in other such circumstances.
On new build brickwork it is often encouraged when brickwork has been completed in wet weather conditions or the bricks have been allowed to get too wet either during construction or whilst sat on site or in storage pending construction.

Essentially it is the salts within the masonry coming to the surface and dissipating.

When an area of brickwork has been efflorescing for a long period of time ‘Efflorescence Staining’ can occur.

​This is simply where the salt is that thick and intense for so long that even if removed an area of discoloured brickwork may lay beneath, although this very much depends upon the type of brick used.

CURE.

Efflorescence is a natural phenomenon and technically the brick is behaving naturally.  It will dissipate over time as the brickwork absorbs moisture and then drys out afterwards. 

​When it rains the efflorescence may disappear whilst the brick is wet, only to come back as it drys out and pulls more salts to the surface of the brickwork.

It is allowing this natural process to work that should eventually remove the efflorescence and is best practice.

You may be able to speed up this natural process by brushing the salts from the surface of the brickwork with a soft brush every time they occur and the brickwork is dry. 

Do not use use a stiff brush as this may damage the surface of the brick.

You should also ensure that the cause of the efflorescence (if not caused through the initial building process) has been resolved and the brickwork is not getting saturated beyond typical exposure to the elements, ie, ensure no leaks onto the area from missing downpipes, etc.
There are also countless different chemical Efflorescence Removers on the market, mostly designed to neutralise the soluble salts that have appeared such as the Remedial Works Efflorescence Remover. 

However, there is no guarantee of success with any efflorescence remover as all bricks are different and you may have to try the different Efflorescence Removers on the market until you find one that works on your particularly scenario, condisering that none may do!

There is also an ‘old wives tale’ that malt vinegar can remove it - but that’s not a scientific basic recommendation!

The best cause of action is to leave it to dissipate naturally and speed up this process with the regular use of a soft brush.

Do not apply a sealer to any brickwork where efflorescence has occurred until you are satisfied that the brickwork has finished efflorescing.

PREVENTION.

Adopting best practices in order to minimise efflorescence is advisable in all circumstances as never know when it can occur.  

During construction it is important to keep the bricks and brickwork as dry as possible when on site.

Keep bricks covered up when in storage, particularly if they are not on shrink wrapped pallets.

Store them well and try to keep them clean and dry. 
When bricks are stacked out on site try to keep them dry, brick jackets are a good tool to help keep bricks in good condition on site.

When laying bricks keep the brickwork and cavity dry by covering up completed brickwork at the end of everyday and when it is raining.

​Try as much as possible not to lay bricks in wet weather conditions.

​Stop the brickwork getting wet by ensuring downpipes, etc, are installed as soon as possible on site.