- these are salt crystals that have come to the surface with moisture that has seeped into the walls with precipitation and from the ground.

The result of salt corrosion on the facade: peeling of the front layer, whitish spots - efflorescence.

There are at least five sources of efflorescence on the facade. The first is the salts contained in the raw material (alumina), from which bricks are made. And ceramic brick, due to its porous nature, is “prone” to absorbing moisture. Penetrating from the outside, it dissolves salts, and evaporating, pulls them to the surface.

The second source is the masonry mortar. It contains cement, sand and water. Sand, mined in the nearest quarry to the construction site; water is also taken from the nearest source, and the salt content in them is fair.

Salts are also contained in the soil on which the house is being built.

The fourth source is atmospheric moisture: rain, snow, fog. More precisely, not water as such, but what it carries. If a chemical plant is located nearby, it is likely that efflorescence will soon ruin the walls of your house.

Another reason for the appearance of stains is various additives in concrete - accelerators and setting retarders. Suppose construction is carried out at an accelerated pace, or in conditions sub-zero temperature. Anti-frost additives are especially insidious: after them, the surfaces are covered with terry white patterns.

But, surface stains are just the tip of the iceberg. The main problem lies deep in the pores of the brick from which the house is built or finished. The lion's share of salts dissolved in water remains inside. And when moisture evaporates, growing crystals break the walls of the pores, which causes cracks to form - first in the cladding, and then in the wall.

To give a normal appearance to the facade, you must:

Remove salts that have come out on the surface;

Protect the surface from moisture ingress.

Non-hydrophobized masonry Hydrophobized masonry

Most often it is not possible to get rid of efflorescence with the help of brushes and water. Water penetrates into the wall and can, evaporating, “pull out” the next portion of salt to the surface. In addition, brushes, especially metal ones, can damage surface layer bricks. Therefore, to remove efflorescence, it is necessary to use special cleaners.

In today's market, there are already a lot of products that remove efflorescence and mortar stains from bricks. These are materials of domestic and imported production, as a rule, of a weakly acidic composition.

They dissolve the surface layer of salt without changing the natural color of the brick. It is important that cleaners do not damage other facade elements, windows, sills, drainpipes and were environmentally friendly.

With regard to prevention reappearance efflorescence, then there are rules here. First of all, it is necessary to protect the brickwork from water ingress: restore the broken roof or waterproofing.

To protect against slanting rains, materials should be used that do not disturb the vapor exchange of the facade, since in housing construction The vapor permeability of enclosing structures, naturally provided by the porosity of materials, is one of the most important sanitary and hygienic requirements for a building. Therefore, it is not desirable to use film forming materials such as drying oil, vapor barrier enamels, etc. The use of water-repellent liquids is optimal.

Water repellents are solutions of organosilicon (silicone) compounds diluted with water or organic solvents.

The principle of operation of hydrophobic liquids is that silicones, using a carrier (water or solvent), enter the thickness of the material being processed (the penetration depth can be up to 35 mm) and then polymerize, creating a water-repellent vapor-permeable layer.

In general, the issues of cleaning facades from salts and preventing their reappearance should be addressed comprehensively, with the involvement of specialists. Otherwise, the use of improperly selected products will lead to even more efflorescence.

Our company, SAZI Production Association, has been working in the field of development and production of materials for cleaning and protecting mineral surfaces for more than 20 years. During this time we have accumulated great experience, and we know that if measures are taken in time to protect the facade from the aggressive effects of water, then in the future it will be possible to avoid the appearance of repeated efflorescence on the surface brickwork.

White stains can sometimes appear on the walls of buildings - efflorescence on a brick. Salt protrudes on them, which evaporates from the liquid that has entered the block due to different reasons. Such stains appear on houses, spoil appearance structures (the wall turns white), destroy the brick, and they are difficult to remove. The fight against efflorescence takes a lot of time, but it is best to prevent their occurrence in advance.

Why do they appear?

The appearance of efflorescence is provoked by various reasons:

• Poor quality of materials and mortar - the use of cheap or porous bricks, water from natural sources, unwashed sand, pre-soaking of blocks when laying;
• Natural factors - low temperature, humid air, soil salinization under the house, aggressive precipitation;
• Lack of drains - without them, the walls are not protected from excess liquid.

In case of salting, check the roof, drainage system, repair if necessary. Their malfunction can cause excessive soaking of the brick, the appearance of plaque. Don't forget to insulate the foundation.

Can I be warned and how?

The appearance of "white spots" is best prevented at the construction stage, observing the following rules:

To prevent plaque from appearing on the material, it is necessary to avoid the process of laying it during rain.

• Do not lay on cloudy or rainy days high humidity air.
• Observe the recommended norms for introducing antifreeze and other additives into the solution, making it a little tougher.
• Clean up the sand.
• Initially, do not allow the bonding mixture to get on the masonry, if this happens, wipe it off.
• Use a special compound that repels water.

Salt resistant products

• - facing material known not only interesting view but also defensive ability. It protects the walls of houses, fences from precipitation, while being durable and strong. White efflorescence on clinker brick appear in the form of growths or films, destroy the surface and spoil the appearance decorative material. Removal of efflorescence is sometimes limited to rinsing with water. The stains on the clinker are not strong, but sometimes a concentrated cleaning agent is needed. After removing the "streaks", the surface is processed protective compounds to prevent efflorescence.
• "The Fifth Element" - this facing brick has good quality, but at the same time it costs more than usual, the same "Slavic". A plaque on a brick occurs if it is not laid correctly. Masonry defects can nullify the work and spoil the appearance of efflorescence that has appeared. It is important to carefully study the masonry technique and follow it, not allowing a large amount of liquid to get on the bricks and into the mortar. Elimination of efflorescence is carried out by special means. But basically these bricks are not affected by them.

Compositions for removal

Most often, this problem is fought with the help of Neomid-550.

• "Neomid-550" - the most famous remedy for efflorescence. It helps to remove them from stone, concrete and brick. It must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 or with alcohol if the walls are treated with low temperatures. It penetrates deep into the block and removes the salt, helping to neutralize it.
• "Good Master" is an acidic efflorescence remover that fights all types of salts on any surface. No need to breed.
• Antivysol "Aqua" - a cleaner of any dirt, deposits, can be used to remove mortar residues from masonry, mold. Not suitable for use on marble and limestone.
• "Tverdolit-Antivysol" - an additive against efflorescence, is intended for use in a solution to prevent the appearance of plaque on a brick wall.

How to remove efflorescence from brick?

Step by step removal

Stagnation of water between the blocks, soaking them with water causes black fungus or mold. The darkened brick speaks of increased dampness, yellow and green spots on the masonry - about the presence of vanadium salts. If you do not deal with white plaque, then salt corrosion occurs on the walls. This is a phenomenon in which, due to temperature changes, salt stains begin to destroy the brick, roughness appears on it, the surface is chipped. In this case, it is impossible to restore the damaged masonry. To avoid the appearance of corrosion, you need to immediately get rid of plaque. It is necessary to clean efflorescence, treat walls, use specialized additives. To eliminate efflorescence on brickwork, we carry out the following actions:

Using a brush, a special primer is applied to the surface with a salt coating.

1. We take a brush or a large brush, and we process the plaque with a primer.
2. Top the surface with water.
3. We use special formulations to reduce block porosity.
4. Waiting for the wall to dry.
5. In the end, it is necessary to treat the surface with water-repellent compounds.

If efflorescence appears on the bricks, then they should be removed as soon as possible. However, according to the recommendations of experts, before eliminating, you need to find out the cause of their appearance. Efflorescence on brick appear due to the flow of water along the wall. Water when heated (for example, under sunbeams) will evaporate and white salt trails will remain. These efflorescences do not just spoil the aesthetic appearance of the building, they are a catalyst for the start of destructive processes that will gradually undermine the foundation of the building.

How does salt penetrate brick walls? First of all, salt residues could be present in brick or cement mortar, they appear from all sorts of additives. If the additives were present in the solution in excess of any norms, then there is also a residual excess of salts. The second reason may be the ingress of salts directly from the soil, through the foundation and columns. This may indicate poor waterproofing of the foundation or the junction of the wall with the foundation, or bad job drainage system in the presence of ground water big levels. Another reason may be precipitation with an admixture of salt, this usually happens near salty reservoirs or the presence of factories nearby, in the emissions of which there are salts.

Can efflorescence be prevented?

Take care to prevent efflorescence brick walls during the construction of the building, observing the following requirements:

• bricks cannot be stored outdoors;
• the construction of the roof must not be delayed, it must be built as soon as possible after the completion of the walls;
• you can not save on the arrangement of waterproofing the foundation;
• must not be added to the mortar when laying too a large number of accelerating or antifreeze additives;
• you can not use a liquid mortar when laying, avoid getting the mortar on the front of the masonry;
• the wall should be protected from rain as far as possible;
• you can not make brickwork in the rain.

How to properly remove efflorescence

If you invite experts, they will be able to determine chemical composition, choose the best efflorescence remover and creation additional protection surfaces and carry out work at a professional level. But, if this is not possible, then you can save money and you can remove the efflorescence yourself.

Some try to remove efflorescence with ordinary water, and in some cases this is really possible. But not all types of salts can be removed by this method. If it was not possible to remove efflorescence with water, then you will have to use special cleaners that are sold in construction stores in small packages. Small volumes of packages in this case are convenient because you can pick up desired composition simple enumeration method. By the way, in the same way, the chemical composition of salt will also be clarified. Having picked up a cleaner that coped better with the task of removing efflorescence, calculate the amount you need and then purchase it for the entire scope of work. The consumption of the cleaner is indicated on the bank.

Efflorescence cleaner

Efflorescence cleaners contain organic and inorganic acids, as well as some surfactants. Both acids and surfactants contain a serious threat to human health, so extreme care is required when carrying out such work. Protective clothing, respirator, goggles and gloves are required when working.

On the packaging with the cleaner there is information on the proportions of diluting the product with water and on how to apply the cleaner on the wall. Rollers, sprayers, natural brushes and brushes. The duration of the solution on the wall, as a rule, is within half an hour (this parameter is also indicated in the instructions). After the specified time, the solution is washed off the surface with ordinary water and a brush or spray. Metal objects should not be used for cleaning, even if the dirt is difficult to remove. Various metal scrapers will leave very unsightly stains on the brick, which are very difficult to remove. Use hard brushes or a wooden scraper.

If this method does not help, then as a fallback, you can try using the solution of hydrochloric acid 2%-4%. Before applying the mortar, the wall must be moistened so that the acid does not deepen into the structure of the brick. Not later than 10 minutes, the solution should be washed off with water supplied under pressure to complete removal solution from the surface.

If you removed the efflorescence but did not fix the cause, this problem will reappear after a while. To protect the masonry after removing efflorescence, use a special water-repellent solution. Water repellent forms protective layer with penetration deep into the masonry by 1 cm and provides protection from 5 to 10 years. The same protection should be provided for new masonry. After the expiration date of the water repellent solution, it is applied again.

Please note that a water repellent is a means of prevention, not cleaning, so it should be applied only after cleaning works. Experts recommend applying a water repellent in two layers with an interval of a day so that the brick is completely dry after applying the first layer. Penetrating deep into the brickwork, the water repellent creates a film that reliably protects the brick from water.

White plaque on the outer walls of buildings, that is, efflorescence is a common occurrence. Its essence lies in a kind of natural "evaporation" of water-soluble salts contained in brick and mortar. Obeying the law of capillary motion, moisture, evaporating, dissolves and along the way carries salts with it, which crystallize at the exit points on the walls in the form of untidy white spots. And although the entire wall can “salt”, this is only a small part of the water-soluble salts contained in the building material.

Having appeared once, efflorescence will not disappear by itself. Disfiguring the appearance of the building, they will gradually destroy the surface facing brick. Salt crystallization creates tension in a certain area and chips appear on the brick that look like scales.

On the other hand, efflorescence is a consequence. The reason is the excess moisture in the brick itself. She has strong destructive power. An unprotected brick absorbs moisture, which, freezing in the autumn-winter period, breaks the brick from the inside. Therefore, efflorescence "signals" the need for protective measures: checking the roof, drains, window sills, cornices and waterproofing.

The appearance of efflorescence is not a sentence. You can fight this phenomenon, if it has already manifested itself “in all its glory”, but it can also be prevented by saving yourself from a headache for several years to come.

Causes of efflorescence

salt various origins are found in nature in abundance. It is necessary to take into account the circumstances beyond the control of the person, which are constant source efflorescence threats:

• alumina is a raw material for making bricks. porous structure ceramic bricks perfectly absorbs moisture, which dissolves salts. During the evaporation process, the salt remains on the surface of the bricks;
• water from a natural source, the composition of which may abound in salts;
• sand is one of the components for the preparation of the solution. Taken in its pure form from a quarry without subsequent washing, it is able to "salt" the future wall;
• soil, and exactly in the place where, according to the plan, the house should stand;
• natural precipitation in all forms, carrying aggressive substances, especially if a chemical plant is located nearby.

Man breaking established rules and instructions and using low-quality material, is also able to make a "feasible contribution" to the formation of efflorescence:

• violating the proportions of the components in the process of preparing the working solution (excess water or antifreeze additives, especially in winter masonry, guarantees the appearance of efflorescence),
• using cement-sand and lime mortars or bricks with a high content of lime,
• producing low-quality bricks (the use of additives that promote brick firing at a lower temperature reduces the cost of its production, but significantly worsens the quality),

Improper waterproofing can also cause efflorescence on the brick.

• pre-soaking bricks, which by their nature are “stuffed” with salts (the more moisture the brick absorbs, the more salts will dissolve; therefore, when the water evaporates, the salt is guaranteed to come to the surface),

• neglecting the protection of masonry from rain and snow.

If, when buying a brick, the developer is completely dependent on the integrity of the manufacturer, then otherwise compliance with the instructions and technologies significantly minimizes the chance of becoming a “happy” owner of mutilated walls.

Anti-efflorescence measures

Measures to combat efflorescence during production process include several important points. Necessary:

1. Disrupt the mechanism of the process of dissolution of salts in the masonry and their subsequent removal to the surface of the brick. To do this, you need to introduce special additives into the solution that can replace lime and increase the plasticity of the solution. It is the convenient application of the mortar, which binds together and provides a uniform load between the bricks, that plays an important role. Even our ancestors used such additives, the most famous of which were chicken eggs. A modern alternative microfoaming agents-water repellents based on naphthenic (from oil), resin (rosin) or fatty acids ( vegetable oil), as well as organosilicon compounds.

Thanks to the smallest air bubbles, moisture will be locked in the solution, not being able to soak into the brick, dissolve salts and bring them to the surface. The drying process of the wall will occur evenly throughout the volume.

2. Follow the wall drying process. Cannot be carried out plastering work with wet laying. Often, a house completely rebuilt in summer begins to dry from the inside in winter, while plastering the walls. But calcium hydroxide (lime) dissolves better at low temperatures. The difference in partial pressures and temperatures provokes forced displacement of moisture in the room and lime to the outer surface of the wall. In the spring, efflorescence on the brick will appear throughout the building.

3. Avoid waterlogging masonry. To do this, you need to cover the masonry from precipitation and not engage in construction work in the autumn-winter period. Do not soak the bricks or dilute the mortar. (Think of additives that can keep water in solution).

The opinion that efflorescence is easily washed off with water once and for all is fundamentally wrong. Water is absorbed into the brick, causing the salts to dissolve inside and crystallize on the work surface.

A well-performed operation to remove efflorescence usually takes place in several stages:

1. Cleaning a brick surface special means. The efflorescences can differ from each other in their chemical composition, which may require the choice of a specific cleaner.

1. If you decide to remove efflorescence on your own, you need to test the drug in a small area. Since the chemical composition of efflorescence is diverse, it may happen that even a universal wash will not help and you will have to experiment with other substances. It is necessary to dissolve the wash in water according to the instructions and apply to the required areas with a brush. Since washes contain surfactants and various acids, it is necessary to work with gloves, glasses and a hat.

For lack of opportunity or funds, the wash can be prepared at home. For this, hydrochloric acid (2 - 4% solution) or detergent and 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar diluted in a bucket of water are suitable.

1. The duration of the drug is indicated in the instructions, it will take minutes. Residues are washed off with water under pressure (from a hose or pressure washer).

1. This is followed by the drying of the wall and its subsequent hydrophobization - the creation of a waterproof surface by impregnation with organosilicon or acrylic based substances. Water repellents are able to be absorbed by several centimeters.

The treated surface acquires new qualities:

• It becomes completely invulnerable to rain and fog, water simply flows off it.
• The strength of the brick increases.
• The walls always look clean - dust settles less and is easily washed off by rain.
• The exit of salt to the surface outside and inside the house is excluded - the water repellent, while maintaining the vapor permeability of the walls, blocks the movement of salts.

There are tricks against salt

To future home pleased the eye with clean smooth walls and corresponded to the status of its owner, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules time-tested:

• The design should take into account climatic conditions region, in connection with which the protection of the walls from getting wet will be developed.
• There must be a ventilated gap between the wall, insulation and cladding.
• Required horizontal waterproofing foundation.
• Use in facade decoration ready-made dry mixes, which are enough to be diluted with water.

Efflorescence can appear in the most unexpected place. But modern experience construction and special preparations help to prevent or eliminate this phenomenon.

The appearance of brick buildings is often spoiled by whitish spots and stains. Plaque is called efflorescence and has several causes. Knowing the basics of choosing materials for masonry, preventive measures and methods for cleaning a brick facade will help preserve its original color and texture.

Efflorescence damage

White spots are a layer of salts released in the composition aqueous solutions. Efflorescence remains after evaporation or freezing of water from the surface. Salts inevitably spoil the brick, contribute to the appearance of chips and cracks, and subsequently the situation is aggravated by the action of wind and precipitation.

The appearance of efflorescence not only worsens the appearance, but can also lead to a gradual total destruction facing brick. If salts begin to protrude inside the masonry, gaps may form in the structure, reducing strength. Efflorescence on brickwork anywhere is a serious problem that should not be ignored.

Reasons for education

The appearance of spots is due to a number of reasons. Some are associated with a violation of the brick manufacturing technology, the rest are a consequence of the unprofessional work of builders. Summarizing, we can name the following main factors contributing to the appearance of efflorescence:

• excessive addition of additives during the production of bricks;
• changing the ratio of components in the manufacture of styling solutions;
• a large amount of lime in brick raw materials or working mixtures;
• increasing the soaking time of bricks before starting work;
• building in the rain or snow.

Of great importance is the quality of the raw materials used in the manufacture of bricks. Alumina initially contains moisture, which dissolves natural salts. When using hard water, the concentration of salts increases. An additional amount of salt impurities can bring unwashed sand from quarries, in the future, efflorescence will appear because of this.

The quality of the soil on which the structure is built can also exacerbate the situation. Masonry located near chemical plants is especially prone to deterioration. Aggressive Components environment can be adsorbed by bricks.

A definite answer to the question of why it starts to turn white brick facade, cannot be given. It is necessary, if possible, to get rid of all negative factors at the construction stage. Subsequently, the facade is cleaned and covered with protective water-repellent compounds.

Preventive action

Any problems are easier to foresee in advance than to deal with them later. All products used should be taken only from trusted manufacturers that do not violate the technology.

It is known that there are additives that can save energy on firing bricks. It is beneficial for enterprises to use them, especially in the production of clinker products, but the quality suffers from this, and efflorescence appears.

Special plasticizing compounds are designed to reduce the dissolution of salts in the brick mass. Centuries ago, various methods were used to increase plasticity. natural substances such as chicken eggs. Modern means include different components among which the following are most commonly used:

• oil products;
• higher fatty acids;
• natural resins;
• synthetic organosilicon compounds.

The timeliness of masonry plastering is of great importance. If you start plastering damp walls from the inside, without waiting for complete drying, then spots may appear outside in the spring.

The cause of efflorescence on a brick can be construction works during the wet season. If it starts to rain, the masonry should be covered with protective polymer sheets, preventing it from getting wet.

Bricks before starting work should not be kept in water for a long time. Using a laying mortar that is too thin also increases the likelihood of efflorescence on the brick.

When drafting a house, the features of the climate and soil composition should be taken into account. This will provide for the need to protect the walls from getting wet. The foundation must be properly protected with a horizontal waterproofing layer. There must be a gap between the walls, insulation and cladding for ventilation. For facades, dry mixtures are preferred, which must be diluted with water in strict accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers.

There can be many reasons for the appearance of efflorescence. Understanding the problems will help avoid or reduce the number of defects.

Removal methods

If the spots began to appear, you need to immediately take measures to eliminate them, you should not put it off until later. There is a misconception that the salt layer should simply be washed off with water. Surface treatment with water will dissolve and move the salts inward. Such a wash will only exacerbate the damage to the masonry. Cleaning of bricks from efflorescence can be carried out mechanically or with the help of chemical detergent mixtures.

mechanical cleaning

To remove stains by mechanical means considerable physical strength is required. The surface must be carefully rubbed with stiff brushes until all the white layer is removed. With a small area of ​​\u200b\u200ba damaged surface, this can be done realistically.

Advice! If a significant area is damaged, you can use a drill with special nozzle in the form of a brush. With such a device, it is easier to remove salt deposits.

Great luck - the presence of a sandblaster. The work must be carried out correctly in compliance with safety rules. Using a compressor, a stream of air with sand is injected onto the contaminated surface, under the action of which not only white salt stains are cleaned, but also residues concrete mix, stains of soot, paint, mold, moss. Work should be carried out in a mask and goggles to prevent particles suspended in the air from entering the mucous membranes.

Detergents

Judging by the reviews, good results are provided by special cleaners, presented in a diverse range. In most cases, universal compositions help to successfully cope with the problem.

First, the product must be diluted in water according to the instructions, then apply the solution to small plot masonry. After a few minutes, in accordance with the recommendations, the composition can be washed off with water. Then the wall should be well dried and covered with a hydrophobic layer that will penetrate a few centimeters deep, provide reliable protection for a long time.

If you cannot buy special formulations, you can get by with home-made hydrochloric acid solutions with a concentration of 2% to 4%. With a large thickness of the layer of salt spots mass fraction acids in solution should be increased to 6%. Work on cleaning brickwork with hydrochloric acid solutions should be carried out in a mask, since acid fumes are harmful to the body.

Note! good effect provides treatment with conventional solutions detergents, to which acetic acid is added at the rate of 3 tablespoons of food vinegar per bucket.

Some masters for removing efflorescence recommend treatment with a solution of copper sulfate, obtained by adding 1 part of the substance to 9 parts of water. For a number of reasons, the method is questionable. Copper salts can disinfect the surface, but how they should dissolve the coating of other salts is not entirely clear. Besides blue vitriol may stain the brick bluish or give it a strange hue.

Other craftsmen testify that a solution helps to get rid of stains. ammonia. The recommendation is also very dubious. Perhaps in certain geographical areas with a predominance of acidic salts, slightly alkaline solutions of ammonia worked. Not everyone should follow this advice.

Efflorescence on the walls is a well-known problem. The population with normally increased aesthetic requirements, who do not want to see dilapidated buildings, can use a variety of opportunities to prevent and eliminate defects.