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Protecting Masonry Restoration from Efflorescence

2025/02/01

Protecting Masonry Restoration from Efflorescence

Have you ever noticed a white, powdery residue left on brickwork? This residue is known as efflorescence and can be a more serious problem than simply being an eyesore. Commonly caused by water infiltration, efflorescence can lead to deterioration, crumbling, or spalling, requiring additional brick repair and unwanted costs to your building restoration project. As masonry restoration experts in Massachusetts, our team at Abbot Building knows how to prevent efflorescence and remove it from brickwork.

 

The first step in Massachusetts masonry restoration is identifying the issues. Let’s start by explaining why efflorescence occurs.

Efflorescence occurs when water penetrates brick. The powdery appearance of efflorescence is due to its composition of soluble salts and minerals left after the water evaporates. When these compounds penetrate the interior of the structure, they can cause more damage than changing the appearance of the brick.

How to Prevent Efflorescence

Preventing a problem is always preferable to repairing it later. The best way to avoid damage from efflorescence is to keep all bricks on a worksite clean and dry. One of the challenges of masonry restoration in Massachusetts is working around the weather. Covering all materials, especially the bricks, with waterproof sheeting will keep them dry during wet weather, especially when there are no workers on-site. The same goes for newly laid brickwork to protect an ongoing project in cold or wet weather.

How to Remove Efflorescence

As masonry restorers, we regularly remove efflorescence from brick. Depending on the age of the masonry and the extent of the damage, multiple methods are used to remove efflorescence. A common practice is sandblasting, which removes the top layer of the brick. While effective, sandblasting can also erode the brick’s surface, making it susceptible to water damage. If we opt for sandblasting, we always follow it with a waterproof surface treatment to protect the integrity of the brick and increase its durability.

Chemical cleaners can also remove efflorescence. Because many chemical cleaners are highly acidic, we wash the brick with clean water after use to prevent erosion and additional damage.

Massachusetts Masonry Restoration | Abbot Building Restoration

Our mission at Abbot Building Restoration is to restore the beauty of historic buildings and masonry throughout Massachusetts. Our team of expert restorers has restored buildings in the Boston area and throughout the state. Have a look at our gallery to see our past projects.

Contact us at (617) 445-0274 for more information about our services.

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Eastern Massachusetts