The Problem:The appearance of white crusty deposits (soluble salts) on the surface of concrete, brick, stucco, mortar and other masonry surfaces. It’s usually the result of moisture leaching from the substrate, and can cause adhesion problems if not properly removed prior to repainting.
Causes:Can include moisture escaping through exterior masonry walls from the inside. Painting masonry surfaces before they are fully cured. And not properly preparing the surface by removing all salt deposits. Excess moisture can be caused by leaking roofs, clogged gutters and downspouts, and cracks in the masonry.
How-to-fix:Eliminate the source of moisture, remove the efflorescence and all other loose material with a wire brush and/or power washer, followed by a thorough rinsing. Once the surface has been treated, apply a high quality masonry sealer; allow to dry completely, and use a high-quality exterior house or masonry paint.
Product Solutions:
Primers
- Insl-x® Aqua Lock®Plus Acrylic Primers, Insl-x® Prime Lock Plus Alkyd Primer/Sealer, Seal Lock® Plus Primer, Block Out® Acrylic Primer Sure Seal™ Acrylic Latex Primer and Tuffcrete® Acrylic Epoxy Bonding Primer/Sealer
Exterior Paints
- Benjamin Moore Aura® Exterior, Regal Select® Exteriorandben® Exterior Paintsare premium coatings that come in a wide variety of finishes and build levels.
