The temperatures may drop, but that is no reason for your bricks to wear a white furry jacket. You may notice only a few bricks with a white substance that has sometimes been described as white fur, mold, or powder. Or you may have extensive areas covered with the substance that makes it appear as though your brick wall is painted white. What is it, and should you be worried?If you own a historic home, white fur or powder certainly is not the look you are trying to achieve. It is patchy, messy and can disturb your overall curb appeal. If you have this substance on the bricks of your home, it is important to understand why it is there and take steps to repair both the root cause and cosmetic effects before severe damage occurs.
What is This Fuzzy Stuff?
The white fur on brick isn't fur at all, nor is it a mold or fungus. Instead, it is a type of deposit known as efflorescence. When you touch it, you will notice it crumbles easily, and if it reminds you of salt, there is a good reason. Efflorescence is a salt deposit that occurs when moisture in the brick reacts with the materials that make up the brick and mortar. The moisture wicks its way to the surface, leaving the salt residue. Depending on how severe your moisture problem is, you may find efflorescence outside or inside your brick walls.
Why is Efflorescence a Problem?
Bricks are porous, even if they look solid to the naked eye. This is because the brick's micropores can absorb water, which eventually wicks its way back out. The efflorescence itself is a cosmetic problem, but it's a cosmetic problem that can be very difficult to remove. Although the white fur on brick brushes off in its initial stages, over time these water soluble salts can harden and only be removed with special acids.
More importantly, efflorescence on bricks indicates a water problem. Depending on where the problem is, it can indicate a leak from the roof, compromised bricks or mortar that are not weathering the elements as expected, or water collecting around the foundation of your home. The problem is already more than minor with efflorescence once you see it. Efflorescence on the exterior of your home is concerning; however, efflorescence on the interior brick surfaces can mean water is wicking from the outside. This may be a sign of a major water problem, and your exterior brick should be professionally examined as soon as possible.
How to Correct Efflorescence
Knowing the white residue on brick is a significant problem, you will want to find the cause right away and correct the conditions. But unfortunately, the efflorescence will return without repairing the underlying problems, and the water will continue its destructive path.
The best way to identify problems and remove the efflorescence is to contact the professionals at Renaissance Development. As experts with historic homes and delicate brick, we can professionally clean and rejuvenate your surfaces and identify further water issues that need to be addressed. So, contact us today and let our brick restoration experts return your home to its best condition.
