white on brick

[CCPC 26]

House with brick. the brick area underneath two of the potted pants on the front steps have really bad white stains. Not sure what this is- need to remove it - any ideas on what this may be and any sugestions on what to use to remove it would be great.

[EmpirePW 14]

got pictures of it?

[CCPC 26]

No. I did not have my trusty camera that I never seem to have with me when I really need it.

[CCPC 26]

I did a search on previous posts, but I figured the senerio being that the problem is underneath a couple of potted plants that the specific info would help someone pin point what this is and how best to remove it.

[seymore 90]

Test it with some hydroxide stripper and see what happens.

[paul-uk 500]

if you wet it ...what happens ??

[CCPC 26]

When it was wet it did disapear to some extent and then became alot more noticable after drying. Could this be efflorescence? Would Muratic acid be something worth trying on these white stains and if so to what dillution?

[staudend 14]

I've seen it before. I think has something to do with the mortar, maybe a mineral of some kind, but I have no idea what will take it off. Heat and pressure don't work. I wouldn't mind knowing what does if anyone has an idea. Nick

[RyanH 14]

I *think* I remember reading that HF (hydrofluoric acid) will do well to remove efflorescence. Not sure where people buy it, though.

[James 624]

Tell them to buy a bigger planter with a big base. Does the planter drain on to the brick and do they over fertalize? is the planter White paint or cement?

[seymore 90]

Ive used this chem before from Addiment for pave stone to remove Efflorescence.Worked good for me but we don't clean seal pavers anymore.I still have some stock but not much try this link.

Hope it helps

http://www.paverdepot.com/accesories/addiment-cleeN-SEAL.html

[paul-uk 500]

i would treat for efforessence.....but i dare say the cost of the chems to buy in ratio to the job....would be costly.

[CCPC 26]

James,

The planters are made of plastic, but I think whatever has caused the white discoloration is from the drain holes on the bottom of the planters. As far as fertelizer, I am not sure what they use or how often.

Seymore - Ryan,

Thinks for the recommendations I will look into that.

Paul UK,

My guess is that it might be efforessence as well. What is the best and safest way to treat that disease? I will be returning there on Wed. so ordering chems will not probably not be an option. I will have to find somthing local.

[paul-uk 500]

efforessence is salts leaching out of the brick...if you try to p\w it away all you do is drive them back in for them to leach back out again....i doubt if you will find anything local to use..i would dry brush(a stiff brush) the area for a few mins and rinse with a little water and brush again...repeat a few times.

with it being a small area it might help a bit....sometimes you can only tell what you have achieved is with a before and after pic...you can try a little brick cleaner.....otherwise you need go to prosocco or dietrich(spelling ?) and buy the proper chem....as i said with shipping it might not be feasable...

paul.