Why does brickwork turn white

For fresh efflorescence, sometimes it is possible to simply wash the area by either pressure washing or wet scrubbing the surface depending on the particular substrate affected. Once efflorescence becomes insoluble, it is far harder to remove. In this instance, a mild, diluted acid solution can be applied. Once the acid wash is complete, the surface will need thoroughly flushing with fresh water and neutralised with a form of sodium bicarbonate.

However, careful consideration should be given to the implications of using an acid wash; it can erode mortar and discolour brickwork. If efflorescence has been present for several months, light sandblasting can be used to clear it. Then once the surface is dry, a stiff brush applied to the affected area can help prevent the salt from penetrating again.

However, the safest method for removing efflorescence is with the use of TORC , by competent and fully trained operatives. The TORC system creates a swirling vortex and uses a fine granulate to gently clean the surface. It is highly effective at removing efflorescence while leaving the substrate in tact. In the hands of a fully trained operative, it is an extremely sensitive, efficient and gentle method of cleaning masonry, concrete, and brick.

What is efflorescence? Causes of efflorescence Although efflorescence may not be a risk […]. Just like cleaning natural stone, there are many considerations to take into account before commencing any Bricks of one kind or another have been manufactured from many different materials throughout the ages.

Whether they be for the construction of a simple dwelling hut to a grand cathedral, bricks have been the staple building material for many centuries. The manufacturing process may change from location to location, but the overall use of bricks has remained pretty constant.

Depending on where you live, you may be restricted to a particular colour of brick for your property. The Olde Welwyn brick is a good example. These bicks form the bulk of properties in the Welwyn village and its larger neighbouring town of Welwyn Garden City, with very few exceptions. We all know that bricks are used extensively around the world to make dwelling houses and office buildings. We are also well aware that there are many different styles and colours of brick for such building projects.

What many seem to be unaware of is just how good bricks can be when used as an interior building material. Rarely do we walk down the street and pay any particular attention to bricks. Bricks are everywhere and we generally take them for granted, why? Probably the reason we ignore bricks is because we are so used to looking at them on our own house when in the garden, or the view through the front or rear windows of our property may look directly at a very similar, if not the same type of build.

Many people would think that a brick is just a brick, maybe different colours exist, but that's about as far as the changes go. In fact, the humble brick has more diversity and heritage than most would give it credit for. When it comes to choosing the right sort of building material for your house renovation or building project, what is the best material to go for?

Brick and wood are practical choices as building materials for homes. They also come in a massive variety of colours, finishes, treatments and styles. Brick and wood are natural to look at and very durable and they insulate well too. You can build a house from all bricks, one from wood panelling or a mixture of both. What factors should affect your decision though when deciding what building material to use? Should you speak to any bricklayer worth their salt, they will tell you about the benefits of dampening any absorbent bricks before laying them!

When most of us think of a brick, we tend to think of a red lump of fired earth that is used to build houses. Not very inspiring, but practical nonetheless! Should someone ask you to think of the most obvious use for a brick, your mind would most probably start to focus on house building and the construction industry in general. Bricks are without a doubt used for building more than any other use, but just what else could the humble brick be used for? ET Bricks can source virtually any brick you want.

We have been leading the way as a brick merchant for many years and not only manufacture superior quality bricks, we supply them from other renowned brick manufacturers too, so our customers can be certain of getting the bricks they want. A facade is the front or face of anything, but the term is mainly reserved to refer to a building. Facade is a pretty common word that is used for anything that changes the face of anything. The exterior face of a building which is the architectural front, is sometimes distinguished from the other faces by more elaborate architectural or ornamental details.

Glazed bricks have been used to great effect in many building projects over the years. They can really stamp the property with its own unique look and feel when incorporated into a period restoration project. It has been claimed recently in the media that Britain is currently facing a shortage of house bricks! The sudden flurry of house building activity following the recession has been blamed for the severe lack of house bricks available.

When people think about having a new patio, they are faced with a bewildering array of paving slabs to choose from. Many of the slabs for sale at the local DIY centre look great, but are they really up to the job? If you are you building a new property or possibly even refurbishing an old property, you may have considered using reclaimed bricks. It's no just bricks that ET Clay Products are famous for, we have a vast range of cast stone and it really is taking off in a way we knew it always would!

Cast Stone is often referred to by different names such as reconstructed stone, reconstituted stone, artificial stone, synthetic stone, manufactured stone and art or artistic stone.

The two most popular names the buying public use for this product seems to be reconstructed stone and reconstituted stone, but the industry term for it remains 'cast stone'. When somebody thinks of a brick wall, they tend to imagine a flat vertical surface constructed of bricks, but depending on the design or terrain, it can be so much more!

Imagine how monotonous architecture would be if all buildings were constructed from standard bricks. Bricks are without doubt, one of the oldest known building materials. Fill a regular spray bottle with distilled vinegar. Disperse the vinegar generously onto the bricks.

Let the efflorescence absorb the vinegar for about five - ten minutes. Scrub the remaining efflorescence thoroughly off the surface of the bricks with the brush. Moisten the cleaning sponge in fresh water as previously done, remember, do not soak the sponge. Wipe the barely moist sponge over the bricks to rinse away the vinegar. Finally, let the bricks surface air dry. Thanks a lot". This is very common. You need to use a strong hydraulic acid to remove it.

This is something we can help with and it's not expensive should you get stuck. Efflorescence is a powdery deposit of salts which forms on the surface of bricks and mortar. It is usually white but can also appear yellow, green or brown. It is caused by a number of soluble salts including the sulphate or carbonate compounds of calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.

The salts may originate in the bricks or be introduced through the mixing water, cement or sand used for the mortar mix, or even from the ground on which the bricks were stacked and stored. Efflorescence is quite common in new brickwork and is usually a harmless, temporary seasonal problem, often occurring in spring following a wet winter.