Masonry Magazine February 2002 Page. 30
EFFLORESCENCE
by Edgar F. Glock, Jr.
What is it?
What causes it?
How is it prevented?
The day before the grand opening of The New National Bank and Pizza Parlor the owner calls. "My building is turning white ... fix it quick." He does not care for a lesson in chemistry or physics or even algebra. He just wants it fixed. Telling him to wait and it will go away is of little consequence. He does not care what caused it. Fix it. Humm
WHAT IS IT?
There are several white substances, which could be on the masonry wall. But the most likely culprit is some form of salt, which is soluble in water. A taste test will prove the most reliable test as to its likely hood of being salt.
HOW DOES IT GET REMOVED?
Most of these salts will naturally go away with time.