Symptoms: Efflorescence
A problem of painted masonry construction, efflorescence is identifiable by crusty white salt deposits that bubble through the paint film from a masonry structure. Salts in the brick or concrete become dissolved with water and then leach to the surface as the water evaporates.
Potential Causes:
- Poor paint surface preparation where prior efflorescence was not entirely removed and washed before the surface was repainted.
- Heavy moisture migrating through exterior masonry walls from inside the home.
- Inadequately waterproofed basement walls allowing ground water penetration.
- Painting masonry construction before the concrete or mortar had adequately cured and dried out.
- Cracks in masonry wall or poor tuckpointing is allowing water to get behind masonry wall.
- If moisture is getting into the masonry wall eliminate source of moisture by properly tuckpointing any cracks or missing mortar in the wall or patching concrete with a latex concrete patch, clean out gutters and downspouts, caulk joints around windows and doors with a butyl rubber caulk.
- If moisture is migrating through the wall from the outside (e.g., basement wall), apply waterproofing to outside of wall.
- Remove all efflorescence and loose flaking, chalking paint with a wire brush, scraping or power washing before repainting.
- Clean area with a trisodium phosphate cleaning solution and rinse with clean water.
- Let completely dry and paint with a high quality latex house paint.
