DIY Home Improvement: How to Remove Efflorescence
Here’s a great DIY home improvement idea: use Sashco’s product Through the ROOF! to remove and prevent efflorescence. Don’t know what efflorescence is? Read on!
Secondary efflorescence: Water seeping through the concrete, often in cracks, having dissolved components of cement stone: like Osteoporosis of the concrete. This often happens in parking garages, as road salt comes off cars as a saline solution in the winter, then affecting the concrete floor the cars are parking on. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)What is efflorescence?
Efflorescence is salt that leeches out of masonry and is deposited on the surface. It mostly happens on brick and concrete, but can also occur on stone.
How do efflorescence deposits get there?
It acts much like tannin staining. Moisture gets into the masonry, then evaporates. As it evaporates, it carries those salts to the surface and leaves them there. It usually looks like a white, powdery substance, but can also be brown, green or yellow in color.
How can it be removed?
When it’s fresh, a stiff bristled brush will do the trick. If that doesn’t work, simple water is the next step. If still that doesn’t work, mild cleaners like Sashco’s CPR oxygenated bleach can be used. If it’s stubborn, there are chemical cleaners widely available that will remove it.
What should be done once it’s removed?
The masonry should be sealed. Small areas can be sealed with brush grade Through the ROOF!, which is ultra clear and won’t stick out. Larger areas should be sealed with a traditional masonry sealer. 
