efflorescence, what is it? (Mike Haduck) commentary 

A very minor clarification:

Excellent and informative video Mike, I always learn something from your approach and I'm an experienced old Landscaper. But never too old to learn!

Another excellent video ! You are truly a Doctor of Masonry.

Efflorescence is ANY soluble mineral that is transmitted to the surface of masonry. It usually happens more often in the winter because the masonry holds water longer in the winter. When the masonry holds water longer it gives minerals more time to migrate to the surface than in the summer. It can be salt but it also is any type on mineral in the wall that can dissolve. Cleaning with acidic washes can sometimes aggravate the problem. Wet the surfaces thoroughly before proceeding so the cleaners work on the surface not in the masonry below the surface. Always do a test spot and wait a week to see the result. Efflorescence can not happen without water travels through the walls. So to prevent that look at caulking joints, copings or caps, flashing, roof over hangs, drainage from roofs, drainage from wall bases, open joints, cracks, and breathable sealers to minimize water entry to the masonry. They are now developing concrete so dense it is waterproof which will help concrete structures made of poured concrete. Not sure on the way it will affect mortar joints as you don't want then harder than the units they are laid in. You can dry brush some off, used cleaners, soak a walls surface to soften it before cleaning but it can be very hard to remove without damaging the surface you are trying to clean.

Thanks so much for this video, it was awesome. Subscribed.

it's goig to take a while to see some of these great video you have archived

Thanks Mike for another interesting video. My back garden wall is about 120 years old and has a mix of efflorescence and old whitewash all over it which makes it look a real mess. I'm going to wirebrush it all off then paint with Portland as shown in your other videos.

Thanks Mike.

Thank you for your prompt reply. I really enjoy reading your blot. Once again thank you for sharing your marvelously knowledge with us. Do you have any suggestions. By the way would you suggest I use mortar mix solution paint on top & follow with a layer of sealer put on top to solve the problem.

Hey Mike, you can't remove efflorescence with a water sponge, it will only disappear temporarily when wiped with a moist sponge it will be back to what it was after a few hours of drying.

Those geodes you show are everywhere in Ozark country. I was unaware that that is how they are formed. Gracias.

Hello Mike,

I had a handyman tell me to put Thompson's Water Seal on the bricks where I have "facial" efflorescence (house is 100 years old) - I didn't do it because I wasn't sure it was a good idea - would it be ok? Would it help stop the white fuzz from coming back each spring?

My interior basement walls (brick and mortar) are experiencing efflorescence in a corner that takes on a lot of ground water. I had a interior drain installed but it didn't help with the wall issue. Would repointing the crumbling/loose mortar and parging help? The house is from 1890-1900. Some people have recommended silpro seal cote and the big waterproofing companies are recommending a super slurry (whatever that is...) Any suggestions? I took down some of the existing parging a while ago but most of the basement is still parged and there's lots of hollow spots.

I have noticed that some of the buff colored mortar mix that I use tends to get more of this. Since I switched to using strait Portland my work tends to not ever get it as often. I'm a mason in the north Ga, area and I see this all over the place on stone and concrete work. Sometimes it looks very bad.

I have brick on my home, wondering what that was. Now I know, thank you. Is it ok to seal brick work?

I have the efforescence on my basement wall that has my garage above it. The three other wall that are directly in the weather are fine. So what can be the problem with my wall that is co existing with the garage???? Thank you Mike

thanks Mike ! :) !

Hi Mike, i just had Cambridge pavers installed for my driveway and porch. i wanted to seal them now before oils and other contaminants get on them but they said i should wait 6 to 12 months because the efflorescence needs to come out first. what are your thoughts.

I do building inspections and find cinder block gives off mineral deposits both as mineral salts which are whitish and mineral oxides which are dark metal oxides. Moisture being the universal solvent will dissolve these minerals, especially calcium and iron oxide to produce conditions often mistaken for mold on walls. I use the stillagtite example to explain this to my customers to.