Efflorescence? (house, construction, living)

[DesignBuild516]

Okay so one of my friends had a huge problem with efflorescence. It was all over their brick driveway.

They just redid the driveway with a new brick and bam it is back again.

They are asking me for some solutions but I don't know of anything.

Any one have any luck with removing efflorescence? Any advice is welcomed? Any stories or experience?

[LIHR]

Good morning DesignBuild,

Did they install the bricks over the old driveway?

[LIHR]

I forgot to add, your best source of information is the manufacture of the bricks. This is probably there biggest complaint and they all address it in there technical data.

It's naturally occurring but nonetheless they are the first to be looked at when it happens.

I ask if the old driveway was removed because manufactures want there products installed to their specifications to reduce the occurrence of efflorescence

[OhBeeHave]

I'm posting this link for other C-D members to read in case they are unfamiliar with efflorescence. It does have tips as to how to go about cleaning it, as well as discusses the cause of the issue.

What Causes Efflorescence and How do You Remove it? - Concrete Construction

[DesignBuild516]

Originally Posted by LIHR

I forgot to add, your best source of information is the manufacture of the bricks. This is probably there biggest complaint and they all address it in there technical data.

It's naturally occurring but nonetheless they are the first to be looked at when it happens.

I ask if the old driveway was removed because manufactures want there products installed to their specifications to reduce the occurrence of efflorescence

Ok so here is the story. Involves two friends so it is tricky situation for me.

Friend had problem with efflorescence on driveway since Sandy.

They hired my friend who is a mason to install new driveway.

Homeowner asked if he could guarantee that efflorescence wouldn't come back if they installed a new driveway. Mason said no, I can't guarantee it but I typically don't have a problem with efflorescence.

Old driveway pavers were removed. Below driveway was a concrete base. Mason wanted to remove the concrete base and install RCA like he typically does but the homeowner said that they "read up" online and that they wanted to keep the concrete base because they thought it was better.

The driveway has a decent slope. Mason kept the concrete base for the first 20' from the house and then right before the sidewalk busted out the concrete for last 30" and installed RCA. The last 30" is where the home owner was having the primary efflorescence occur on the old driveway. The water would drain down the sloped driveway slightly pool in that location. This new configuration was meant to have water drain down the sloped driveway and not pool in that location. Mason also reworked the slopes so their was no drainage issues.

This was all installed prior to winter. Anyways, driveway looks great but now there is efflorescence all over the driveway. Not even in just one location. There are spots every where.

Mason says that it should wash away with the warmer weather and water. He is willing to even brush it to help out. He's not a big company, I feel bad I recommended him into this tough situation.

Client is being reasonable but is obviously upset. House is located in shady area with little sunlight near the water.

[OhBeeHave]

So he removed the lower part of the old driveway to reduce water pooling and the probability of efflorescence recurring in that area, but placed a base of crushed concrete in it's place?

[ocngypz]

Hmmmmmmmmm.............did the homeowner use any salt during the winter? I've been getting white spots where I've never had any before.

[LIHR]

I have a good mason, we speak about (efflorescence) often. He tells me manufactures do not want any concrete under their bricks, pavers etc.. because of efflorescence. Your mason is correct, it will eventually wash away with rain (more so with acid rain) Brushing it will help remove it faster. Normal wear from driving over it, walking etc. will also speed up the removal.

It's naturally occurring and nobody can guarantee it not happening. There's a ton of technical information on the net and I advise the homeowner to research it and understand it.

If the mason installed according to the manufactures recommendations, did his due diligence, the mason did his job.

It's like a carpenter installing molding. He would never guarantee a joint from moving, even if he uses glue, biscuits, moisture testing, accumulate the material to the environment to which it will be installed, etc.. because wood is dynamic, and even though it has been cut down and dead, it's living, it's constantly moving.

If I was a mason I'd have a section in my agreement covering efflorescence ensuring the client understands what it is, how it occurs, etc.. and sign off on it.

[mowmylawn]

Depending on the color of the pavers, some may find some efforvescense attractive.

[DesignBuild516]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

So he removed the lower part of the old driveway to reduce water pooling and the probability of efflorescence recurring in that area, but placed a base of crushed concrete in it's place?

Old driveway was pavers on top of concrete. He removed all of the pavers.

He wanted to remove all of the concrete and install RCA but the homeowner wanted to keep the concrete base.

So instead of ripping up all the concrete, he only ripped up the last 30" in the area it was pooling. He would have liked to rip up the whole driveway but homeowner didn't want him to.