White Deposits on Brickwork:

An “Advisory Note” about “White Deposits on Brickwork” is available upon request, or [PDF] can be PDF downloaded.

Summary of the Main Points:

Two types of White Deposit  

• Efflorescence
• Lime Bloom [Carbonated Lime]

Efflorescence:

Can appear when brickwork is drying out for the first time. Efflorescence is water soluble and will weather away.

Lime Bloom [Carbonated Lime]

Can weep from mortar joints after the Brickwork has been saturated with rain water through the top of open Brickwork.

Prevention:

• Keep Brick dry before being built.
• Use correctly gauged mortars with minimal plastiser.
• Cover the open tops of Brickwork to prevent ingress of rain water during construction period.
• Good Brickwork practice with well filled mortar joints.

Treatment

• Efflorescence will weather away by the action of rainwater. May need some cleaning in sheltered areas of building. [Dry Brushing/ Light Water Spray]
  Lime Bloom [Carbonated Lime]
• Use a “Brickwork Cleaner” which can breakdown Semi Lime deposits. [Various brands on the market and can be obtained from most Builders Merchants