Efflorescence problem on stone wall

C

cunninghams

Registered User
Messages
104

Hi all, Im hoping somebody might be able to advise on a problem I have with a stone wall (limestone) I had built about 2 years ago. Over the last 6 months white streaky patches are appearing down the wall and from what I can see they are emanating from the joints. I ahve tried washing this off but to no avail. I cannot get in contact with the guy who built the wall at present but ahving spoken to a few people who are in the business
it would seem the problem is efflorescence which is appearing in the form of a deposit and colour fading like chalky patches. They tell me this "natural effect" comes from a high cement content and occurs when prolonged wet weather is followed by conditions of rapid drying. This would add up interms of the Irish Climate over the last 18 months.

My questions are

1. can I do anything about this? If so what product is out there for same?

2. Will the appearance of efflorescence gradually disappears over time as natural weathering takes place-It has been suggested to me that efflorescence is slowly washed away by rain over time.

3. Will Efflorescence affect the durability of the natural stone
 
The acid would make sense to neutralise the lime(from the cement) staining. Would you know if it will disappear over time itself without treatment
 
We had this problem on red brick. We had our bricks cleaned by a contractor and then over the winter the efflorvescence appeared. We solved it be brushing it down regularly and the sun over the summer seems to have cleared it up completely.... will be interesting to see if it returns this winter.
 
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