How to Easily Remove Efflorescence from Brick Walls

If you have noticed a white powder coating on the outside of your bricks or masonry wall, you may be wondering what it is, what it means, and whether it can be removed. Fortunately for you, we have the answers to all your questions, including how to get rid of it.

What is Efflorescence?

The white powder on your bricks is most likely to be efflorescence. If you’re wondering what that means, it is another word for salt deposits. Bricks are a porous material that naturally contain small quantities of salts, and when they come into contact with moisture, the salts start to dissolve. Once the moisture dries, or evaporates, the salt is left behind, causing the white powder to form.

Do I Need to Worry About Efflorescence?

The result can be unsightly, but luckily, efflorescence does not cause any harm to the brick. It could, however, be a sign of a more serious problem of moisture issues, like a leak, if the deposits are large and reoccur at an accelerated rate. In this case we would advise getting professional help to locate the cause.

Can Efflorescence Be Removed from Brick Walls?

In most cases there is nothing to worry about, and you can remove the salt deposits yourself using various cleaning methods and products. For small amounts of efflorescence there are some easy home remedies that could be successful, but for the safety of your property we would always advise purchasing an efflorescence remover product.

Could the White Staining Be Something Other than Efflorescence?

Another potential suspect for the white on your brick walls is calcium deposits. These are a lot denser than efflorescence, and form below the brick’s surface. To find out what is causing your discolouration, splash the area with water. If the appearance darkens it is efflorescence, if it does not it could be calcium deposits.

How Do I Get Rid of Efflorescence?

Efflorescence Remover Product

The best way to remove efflorescence from brick walls is to use a specialist efflorescence remover such as GK EFF OFF. Our product is a blend of synergistic organic compounds, surfactants and activators. EFF OFF is free from caustic acids such as sodium hydroxide, making it safer for use at home, and it will not damage the brick.

Unlike other efflorescence remover products, EFF OFF not only removes the surface salt, it penetrates deep into the pores. The active components render the salt deposits soluble in water, which removes the efflorescence and prevents the cycle from continuing.

EFF OFF is ready to use and requires no dilution.

Professional Cleaning Service

If you have a severe case of efflorescence, or if it is in a place that’s difficult to reach, you can hire a professional company to come and sort your efflorescence for you. This is a more expensive approach but may be necessary.

A professional team should be able to give you some guidance on the cause of your efflorescence if you are worried about any underlying factors such as a water leak.

Household Remedies

For very small cases of efflorescence, you can remove it using products you may already have to hand at home. Mixing 50/50 white vinegar and water will create a solution that can be applied to the affected area with a stiff bristle brush. Please note that this is only a viable solution for very small applications, and it won’t provide any preventative measures for the future.

Stiff Brush and Water

If the efflorescence is very loose, and comes off easily to the touch, you may be able to remove it simply by scrubbing it with a stiff bristle brush, or washing it with a power wash. We would recommend being extremely cautious with a power wash tool as it could potentially damage the brick.

How Do I Prevent Efflorescence from Coming Back?

With the GK EFF OFF efflorescence remover, you will benefit from our formula’s preventative qualities. You can also treat the area with a sealant once the remover product has completely dried.

If you are having problems with moisture then you can seek a specialist provider of waterproofing measures for your home.

Summary

If you are looking for an easy way to remove efflorescence from your brick walls, use our GK EFF OFF efflorescence remover product to dissolve stubborn salt deposits, and prevent the cycle from continuing. EFF OFF is ready to use without any need for dilution, and thanks to its caustic acid-free formula, your walls will not be harmed.