Environment-Friendly Methods To Eliminate Efflorescence

As much as environmentalists can be pressing at times, they often make very valid points. Humans are doing so much damage to the world around them, and we need to do something about it. If we don’t change our ways, it is almost a certainty that our children will not have an inhabitable world to live in. At this rate, too much damage will have happened in the years to come for us to repair. This is why it is important that we try to take as many precautions as possible in our daily lives. A good example of that is dealing with efflorescence, which needs to be done using environmentally friendly solutions. 

What Is Efflorescence?

Efflorescence is the salt deposit that formed because of evaporated water. This is why it is quite common to face this powdery substance after cold and wet conditions. Since efflorescence thrives in moist conditions and low temperatures, you can find it in strange places around your house. Contrary to popular belief, though, it is not just in tight places and corners. It can grow in any kind of masonry surfaces, like concrete, brick, stucco, and even stone surfaces. So, why exactly does this substance form?

This happens because water evaporates slowly, leaving behind the soluble salt particles within. These salt crystals are then deposited as the water carries them to the building materials as it evaporates, which leaves you with efflorescence. So, how can you remove it without damaging the environment?

Environment-friendly Solutions to Remove Efflorescence

• Washing 

Sometimes, it doesn’t take more than washing to remove those salt deposits, depending on how long they’ve been there. So you can try scrubbing it with a stiff brush and mild chemical-free cleaning products; to learn about this in more detail, you can read the full article on how to treat and prevent efflorescence without damaging the environment. Use plain water as you are scrubbing it, as this will give you excellent results. As previously mentioned, it is better that you try this approach sooner rather than later so you could get some good results. You need to be careful, though, because adding water to the salt deposit will make it appear as if it’s vanishing since it becomes transparent, but it will still be there. So, you still need to scrub and apply some cleaning material to ensure it goes away. Also, never leave any salt deposits, because they will reform efflorescence if you do. 

• Non-toxic Removers 

If the rinse with a mild detergent approach doesn’t work, you can up your game a little bit and use non-toxic efflorescence removers. You will still be using something that doesn’t have any fumes and isn’t as harmful to the environment as acids, which some people use for this problem. So, find a product that doesn’t contain any acids, bleach, abrasives, or petroleum distillates to help you get rid of those salt deposits without damaging the structure or the environment. 

• Sandblasting  

While it might sound a bit weird, sandblasting is actually a great option for getting rid of efflorescence. It doesn’t involve any chemicals or cleaners, and it is quite environment-friendly. The problem with this approach, though, is the fact that it might do some damage to the surface you’re cleaning if you are not careful. This type of abrasion can cause damage and make surfaces like brick or mortar a lot more porous. A tip that works when you’re using sandblasting is always sealing the surface you’re working on after you are finished. 

• Power Washing 

Power washing is another effective approach to get rid of efflorescence, but you also need to be really careful with this one since it might cause some damage as well. You will want to keep the pressure very low while trying to remove salt deposits on different surfaces, and it is actually quite efficient. You shouldn’t use high pressures, though, because this might lead to pores opening on the surface you’re working one. This is bad for not only the surface integrity, but also the salt deposit formation since such open pores encourage even more efflorescence. So, always use lower settings and increase in small increments if you have to. 

It can be very tempting to use strong chemicals to remove efflorescence and be done with it, but you should never take the easy road. Those chemicals are bad for both you and the environment, and using them always has repercussions. Those approaches mentioned earlier can be just as efficient, if not more, but they need more effort, and the environment is certainly worth going the extra mile.