[Keiron Bradley]

Hi, I was hoping some of the experienced pros might be able to help r.e. attached images and tell me what exactly has caused this and can anything be done?

I thought at first someone had got to close with a pressure washer and have similar markings on bricks when this has been the case.

But the owner is adamant it has never been pressure cleaned. In his own words....

'when doing the block work the builder let the motor run over the brick work when it rained.'

I must confess I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean.

I would much appreciate any expert views and possible remedies.

Many thanks.

[Kev Martin]

It is efflorescence!  I have written various posts on it for this forum over the years.  If you can’t find them simply google it.  This is something we teach  on our courses

[Mike Halliday]

If it was staining from the Morter it would have been present from the very day it was built, especially if the bricklayer were working in the rain and it ran down the walls as they worked.

If this appeared over the coming months ( or years) then it’s as Kev answered  chemicals/ minerals present in the bricks/mortar  that leach out when the structure gets wet.

Explain to the owner it’s a common  problem and although can be unsightly it does no harm or effect the structure. 

[Kev Martin]

There is a geodesic product on the market called Eff-Ex that helps.  It is essentially an acidic cleaner with a type of sealer buffered into it chemically.  So it works by you scrubbing it in to the surface which helps to remove the salts then it continues into the brickwork and semi seals it.  The idea is that this seals and partially blocks ( not eliminates) the route that the salts take when they are trying to leach out of the brick or the stone so in turn the efflorescence is dramatically slowed down.  We used to sell pallets of the stuff to two very famous house builders in this country.

[Keiron Bradley]

I just wanted to reply and thank you for your help and apologise for the delay - just after asking my question I had health problem I won't bore you with and was out of action for some time.
I wasn't being ignorant and appreciate the replies.

[Kev Martin]

Kieron

Hey no worries!  Health is more important than anything on Earth.  I hope you are OK now!

Kevin

[Keiron Bradley]

Thanks very much Kevin.

And yes, hopefully all ok now.

Happy new year.

Keiron.