[NavyB]

Guys,

We have a 'large' customer we currently do work for so keen to keep them sweet - asper pics /title - need to remove fairly bad (1-1.5mm) calcified efflorescence, its been on there for years (see pic1) and several more common powdery areas of efflorescence (see pic2) both historically caused by localised downpipe / overflow leaks - leaks all now repaired - so shouldn't come back once removed.

So how bad/thick does efflorescence need to be before grit blasting is the best /most appropriate solution  ?

Presumably grit blasting will clean the brickwork beneath the area of the efflorescence as well? 
We use pw's but never grit blasted,  is it easy to use/hire  ?

Any rough idea (1 man) how long it would take to remove it from the sample pic1 area (worst area) ~6m tall x 0.5m wide?

For those less severely affected areas (not as thick as pic1) and more 'powdery' (pic2), though not enough that it would easily 'scrub' off, which is better Hydrochloric/ Muriatic acid or is there a better product e.g I've read about on here Kev's 'EF off' or whatever it's called? 

Looking to try to increase the scope of work we do for this client so keen to be seen as a 'can do' firm

Really would appreciate your suggestions on best approach...

All feedback appreciated    thanks in advance

[Smudger]

if you grit blast be prepared to repoint the walls

this sort of work can be (for me) hit and miss - sometimes you can remove it in next to no time - the next job you can be there all day and made no impact

I usually use a chemical and steam clean

Darran

[NavyB]

Cheers Darren,

Suspected grit would come with collateral damage...

Do you mind sharing which chem you would go with ?
Also what steam machine would you recommend for the job (a DOFF/Thermatec)?
I read you can hire a doff any contacts you could recommend ?
Or anyone out there prepare to hire out theirs?

[Kev Martin]

Soft diamond brush on rotary grinder to get the bulk off then use Aqua Mix Eff-Ex easy

[Smudger]

This
PROSOCO 600 Detergent
or this
PROSOCO Heavy Duty Restoration Cleaner
and this...
Stonecare4u EFFLORESCENCE & SALTS Remover

if your just doing this one job - I would just hire a hot pressure washer - it will get just hot enough to help and the brickwork is fairly new and is unlikely to get detramental damage from a 15 deg nozzle

If you want to push the boat out I would have thermotech - but its a weeks hire and training course if you have never used them before!!!

Darran

[NavyB]

Nice one -  thanks Darren those products look likely contenders... I'm guessing you've tried other chems and have decided Prosoco's are a cut above??
Have you ever used Prosoco's 'Custom Masonry Cleaner' instead of 'Heavy Duty Restoration Cleaner'
On Proscoco's site it specifically mentions 'Custom Masonry Cleaner removes concrete splashes, excess mortar, mud, retarders, heavy efflorescence, so was just wondering why you would opt for the Restoration Cleaner which didn't seem to mention efflorescence? Just keen to see 'your workings out'  thanks for the Hot PW hire tip
Do the chems you recommend increase in potency hence you try the least powerful first to see it that will shift it, and then try the next and finally the efflorescence remover as last option catch all? 

Thanks Kev - my bad ], it's not clear on my shabby pic but I went back to site today and took a closer look and the brick surface finish is stippled hence it may not be as 'bad' as  i originally assumed as the stippled surface exaggerates the efflorescence  - i'm thinking the grinder route may be the nuclear option if chems don't shift it but with the stippled surface i suspect that would rasp it flat making it stand out a little compared with rest of the unaffected area (my bad should have noticed the texture brickface!...Have you used Eff-Ex on brickwork?

Cheers again lads

[Kev Martin]

Nice one -  thanks Darren those products look likely contenders... I'm guessing you've tried other chems and have decided Prosoco's are a cut above??
Have you ever used Prosoco's 'Custom Masonry Cleaner' instead of 'Heavy Duty Restoration Cleaner'
On Proscoco's site it specifically mentions 'Custom Masonry Cleaner removes concrete splashes, excess mortar, mud, retarders, heavy efflorescence, so was just wondering why you would opt for the Restoration Cleaner which didn't seem to mention efflorescence? Just keen to see 'your workings out'  thanks for the Hot PW hire tip
Do the chems you recommend increase in potency hence you try the least powerful first to see it that will shift it, and then try the next and finally the efflorescence remover as last option catch all? 

Thanks Kev - my bad ], it's not clear on my shabby pic but I went back to site today and took a closer look and the brick surface finish is stippled hence it may not be as 'bad' as  i originally assumed as the stippled surface exaggerates the efflorescence  - i'm thinking the grinder route may be the nuclear option if chems don't shift it but with the stippled surface i suspect that would rasp it flat making it stand out a little compared with rest of the unaffected area (my bad should have noticed the texture brickface!...Have you used Eff-Ex on brickwork?

Cheers again lads

You need to read my post again!  At no point have I suggested grinding it.  I said a soft diamond brush around 180 -220 grit.  Then finish off with EFf-Ex.  When cleaning efflorescence it is important not to feed it or you will exacerbate the problem.  Efflorescence needs three things - Water, A Route  and Salts.  Take any of those three things away and efflorescence can’t form.  However, if you re-introduce any of those three you are feeding it.  Hence my solution of a soft Diamond Brush DRY to remove the bulk then the EFF-EX.  In answer to your question  have I ever used EFF-EX on brickwork the answer is yes, a great deal, and on virtually every other surface know to man,  plus we sell it to owners and builders of new build properties for removing it as well.

https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/TDS/TDS-169.pdf

[Smudger]

No particular order in strength- they are the ones I've used either individually or as a combination - I use those because that's what tensid recommended (Prosecco products)  the other may work as well give them a call,they are helpful it solving a problem

As I say, I've done a few - most come off, and looking at your picture that will too - but sometimes it's a ball ache - price well because you could be there for a complete day and secondly don't sweat it, use it as a training/learning exercise for future quoting

Darran