By Danica A
•
01 Aug, 2021
Efflorescence is a crystalline or powdery deposit of salts often visible on the surface of concrete, brick, stucco, or natural stone surfaces. It occurs when water leaves behind salt deposits on the masonry surface. The word efflorescence means "to flower out" in French, but this flowering leaves an unattractive residue behind. It sparkles; it's white, sometimes with a grayish tint; and flakes off the masonry surface. Learn what causes this unsightly occurrence and how to prevent or remove it. What Is Efflorescence? You can easily recognize efflorescence on walls, floors, retaining walls, and other surfaces made of brick, stone, concrete, or stucco. It's often a white, powdery substance when seen on unsealed surfaces. If a floor or other concrete surface has been sealed, you may see efflorescence as a white blush under the sealer. This can be especially concerning for homeowners who have sealed concrete floors. If you're a homebuyer, a real estate home inspection would reveal whether your soon-to-be home has efflorescence. Some astute real estate agents might note efflorescence in the home, most likely to be prevalent on basement walls. Wet basements, especially, are the perfect environment in which efflorescence can grow. Note: Efflorescence is composed of a variety of water-soluble salts. Different surfaces and different areas of the country are more likely to have particular combinations, which lead to a variety of colors.