What is Efflorescence | Causes, and Treatment of Efflorescence

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What Causes Efflorescence?
How to Spot Efflorescence
Preventing Efflorescence
How to Remove Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts that can form when water is present in or on brick, concrete, stone, stucco or other building surfaces. It has a white or greyish tint and consists of salt deposits that remain on the surface after water evaporates. In addition, efflorescence can appear as a powdery substance on floors and walls and requires special care to treat.
You may notice efflorescence both indoors and outside, and it can vary in frequency and intensity throughout the country due to moisture and temperature. Three conditions need to exist for efflorescence to occur:

Efflorescence can happen at different times. Essentially, it can either be a problem from the beginning of a building's construction, or the process can occur over time. Primary efflorescence usually occurs within the first 72 hours of the building material being used, appearing due to excess water being present when the material was manufactured. Secondary efflorescence is a result of outside moisture pulling the salt out of the building material.

In many instances, efflorescence may occur during home construction. If masonry units get left out overnight during construction, they'll likely absorb moisture from damp soil and rain. It is essential for masonry units to be covered and left in pallets to minimize the risk of efflorescence throughout a construction project.

Efflorescence can also occur when building materials are installed incorrectly or problems occur with the installation. Some common examples of this include:

Using through-wall flashings incorrectly.
Failing to provide sufficient ventilation for masonry.
Installing masonry without an efficient barrier for moisture.
Joint materials failing after installation.
Materials being stored improperly or left on the ground.
Efflorescence is often a seasonal problem, and humidity will impact whether soluble salts appear. It usually escalates in winter, since rain, snow, sleet and other inclement weather conditions may arise. However, efflorescence can still occur in spring, fall and summer.

HOW TO SPOT EFFLORESCENCE
Understanding the differences between efflorescence and stains is critical. Stains usually come in various colors but may appear similar to efflorescence at first. Efflorescence is a white, powdery substance that can be found on unsealed surfaces, including:

Brick: Since it is porous, brick may absorb soluble salts. To determine whether efflorescence will be a problem for your brick, take a single brick and immerse it in distilled water for approximately seven days. Let the brick dry after the seven days and compare it to a brick that was not immersed. If you notice a powdery, white material on the brick, it likely has effloresced.
Cement: Portland cement used in mortar and grout highly contributes to efflorescence in these materials, according to the Brick Industry Association (BIA). It is high in alkalis and is more likely to effloresce than other types of cement. Conversely, it is important to note that all types of cement contain some amount of water-soluble alkalis, making any cement vulnerable to efflorescence.
Lime: Lime is a water-soluble material that produces calcium chloride when it reacts with unbuffered hydrochloric acid. The calcium chloride is what may surface through a building's material. Comparatively, lime can help improve bonds between mortar and brick and make masonry materials more water-resistant.
Sand: Sand is used in grout and mortar and isn't water-soluble. On the other hand, other materials can contaminate sand, which ends up contributing to efflorescence. For building projects, it's best to use sand that's been cleaned and is contamination-free to help minimize the chance of efflorescence developing.
Clay: Building brick and face brick consist of clay, which contains salts that are highly soluble. Clay may react with common building salts like calcium sulfate that result in efflorescence.
Admixtures: An admixture's bond and strength can increase the possibility of efflorescence with building material. Generally, it's best to err on the side of caution with admixtures. If you're unsure what is included in the admixture itself, you may want to avoid this solution entirely.
Backings: Concrete and other backing materials may contain soluble salts, contributing to the efflorescence of brickwork. If sufficient water is present in backings, salts may dissolve, causing the backing materials to effloresce.
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What is Efflorescence | Causes, and Treatment of Efflorescence
CIVIL ENGINEER
AVINASH SHARMA

POSITIVE BUILDER
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