Efflorescence in Concrete and Brick
When I inspect and report the surface conditions of brick and concrete, and use the term efflorescence, it has more aesthetic rather than structural consequences.
Category: Water
See How Water Can Flow Against Gravity
Although not as serious as bulk water movement, capillary forces are powerful…often moving upwards without the occupant’s knowledge.
DIY Swimming Pool Leak Test
Easy DIY swimming pool leak test. Need: bucket – swimming pool – about 3 days. This post includes a nice 1:32 video. Follow professional home inspector Gary Smith for more Real Estate Reality!
How to Maintain Your Tankless Water Heater – Annual Descale Flush
Nothing beats a nice clean cool drink of water. However, if you own a tankless water heater, you’ll want to keep the heat exchanger free of lime and scale. You should flush it annually. Here are some basic steps. The pump and hoses will cost less than $100.
What is That White Powdery Stuff on My Brick Wall?
We know that efflorescence is a fine, white, powdery deposit (see photo at right) of water-soluble salts left on the surface of masonry as the water evaporates. These efflorescent salt deposits tend to appear at the worst times, usually about a month after the building is constructed, and sometimes as long as a year after completion. Three conditions must exist before efflorescence will occur. If one is left out, efflorescence cannot form.