Removing efflorescence from brick

acwindows

New member
What would I use to remove efflorescence from brick? Would simple cherry and chlorine do the trick or do I need the hard stuff like muriatic acid, which Id really rather not use
Heres some pics of what I mean:
i1batg.jpg

2f0c8jl.jpg

25uitn7.jpg


Theres about 5 brick columns like this at street level. They are all under that steel canopy in the photos.

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated!
 
I clean banks with this all over them. I had to buy different chemicals to remove it because not every bank had the same calcium build up on them. Go to this website and they can help you, ask for Mike at www.eacochem.com
Good luck Hugh
 
You need to let the person who hired you know that you will do your best with the chemicals you use but there are no garentees and like Ron states it will be back. Hugh
 
Sometimes you can wash and wash and wash and it wont come off. Sometimes you can wash and it comes clean but a week later it is back.
This stuff is a pain in the butt.

You will have to use in most cases Muratic Acid, but it will damage that light fixture that is up there so on this project I wouldnt suggest it unless you cover that light up really well. With Muratic you have to make sure your rinse rinse rinse and rinse again...

I hate efflorescence and usually turn it down because you can never tell what the outcome will be.
 
Nicole, when I got the contract for my banks I was told the guy that cleaned them before stated he couldn't get the stuff off. I have tried to remove these calcium stains and I have been sucessful with about 75% of the stains. I told the bank and it is in the agreement that I would try but they understand if I can't get them off. The bank I am cleaning this weekend has these stains on just about every outside wall. Wish me luck, it isn't going to be a fun weekend. Also thanks for the cookbook! Hugh
 
Hmm....ok. Well thanks for the advice everybody. At least now I know what Im in for.
What prevention chems would you suggest I try for this if I can remove it and how long do they keep this crap from coming back?
 
Ask the guy that hired you if the efflorescence is new or has it always been there, and how long it has been there. If this is a older building and it just started in the past year or so he has a leak allowing water to get in the brick. Eacochem is the way to go.

Roger
 
not sure if it would work on the brick, but I have done several t&g floors, with bad eff. in the grout, and sealed them and it stopped. Has worked for me 3 times now. One of them was real bad I will try to find some pics. but the eff. had filled alot of the grout flush with the ceramic tile, and was starting to migrate onto the tile. Turned out, they had a leak in the wall, but that is a whole story in it self.
 
I use nmd -80 from eaco chem , make shore you skin is cover does burn a little . Ron is right they will have to seal the brick after clean , still might come back real pita
 
I just want to add something:

For mineral stains such as efflorescence, red clay and rust you need acid
- Muratic acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Oxalic Acid, etc. (Make sure they have a surfactant in them.)


For oil, grease, mold, dirt you use alkalines
-Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach), Sodium Metasilicate, Potassium Hydroxide, etc. (Again...with a surfactant) Butyls assist in removing these but are not technically alkalines...they are solvents.


Surfactants are what help pull the dirt/stain away. The cleaners busts throught the stains...but the surfactants help to actually pull them away.

 
I have used this following product on my stone front house efflorescence, and it did an awesome job, over two years have not returned, but I did seal it their sealer after.

I just could not understand why builders would not seal stone and brick, it is just a waste to have the surface ruined with the white ash look.

It is even more important to have it done around brick/stone chimneys, the moisture cycling destroys the brick and mortar joints, such a waste.

http://aldonchem.com/popup-ab-efflorescence.htm
 
Efflorescence Removal:

EFFLORESCENCE REMOVAL:
For the removal of efflorescence the dilution ratio
should be 5 to 10 parts water or stronger to 1 part
200 Lime Solv. The application dwell time should be
approximately 10 minutes followed by a garden hose
low pressure trickle-like water fog/mist rinse. Do not
use high pressure washer or a beaded garden hose
spray because great amounts of pounding water will
activate more efflorescence to the surface.

http://www.diedrichtechnologies.com/index.php

my 2 cents
 
EFFLORESCENCE REMOVAL:
For the removal of efflorescence the dilution ratio
should be 5 to 10 parts water or stronger to 1 part
200 Lime Solv. The application dwell time should be
approximately 10 minutes followed by a garden hose
low pressure trickle-like water fog/mist rinse. Do not
use high pressure washer or a beaded garden hose
spray because great amounts of pounding water will
activate more efflorescence to the surface.

http://www.diedrichtechnologies.com/index.php

my 2 cents

do you sell any larry?
 
How has that worked for you Nigel
I have used this following product on my stone front house efflorescence, and it did an awesome job, over two years have not returned, but I did seal it their sealer after.

I just could not understand why builders would not seal stone and brick, it is just a waste to have the surface ruined with the white ash look.

It is even more important to have it done around brick/stone chimneys, the moisture cycling destroys the brick and mortar joints, such a waste.

http://aldonchem.com/popup-ab-efflorescence.htm
 
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