Serving Swanton and the Surrounding Areas

Brick by Brick, Block by Block, We Help You Build Quality

Manufacturer of NRG insulated CMUs.

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GUIDELINES/ EFFLORECENCE

Essential Guidelines

It is critical to follow proper masonry construction design recommendations. Having been in business since 1953, we know masonry construction inside and out. The following are recommended techniques that will make your masonry structure stable and last longer:

  • Wide overhangs if architecturally feasible
  • Properly installed coping
  • Integral water repellent masonry
  • Covering unfinished walls
  • Caulking of doors and windows to masonry
  • Flashing installation
  • Use of vapor barriers
  • Weep holes in exterior wythes
  • Tightly sealed concave or vee mortar joints

Guides For Estimating

(For “Rule of thumb” use only)

Unit Quantities

Standard block (8x8x16) – 1.125 block per square foot of wall area

Regular brick – 7.0 brick per square foot of wall area

Oversize brick – 5.5 brick per square foot of wall area

  • Wide overhangs if architecturally feasible
  • Properly installed coping
  • Integral water repellent masonry
  • Covering unfinished walls
  • Caulking of doors and windows to masonry
  • Flashing installation
  • Use of vapor barriers
  • Weep holes in exterior wythes
  • Tightly sealed concave or vee mortar joints

Mortar Quantities 

 

Per 1,000 Units

 
  • 4" and 6" regular block
  • 8", 10", and 12" regular block
  • Regular brick

Masonry Cement Bags 

 
  • 20
  • 25
  • 8

Sand Tons

 
  • 2
  • 2 1/2
  • 1 1/4

Approximate Volume Required to Fill Core Voids in Block

 
  • 6 x 8 x 16
  • 6 x 8 x 16
  • 8 x 8 x 16
  • 8 x 8 x 16
  • 10 x 8 x 16
  • 10 x 8 x 16
  • 12 x 8 x 16
  • 12 x 8 x 16
  • 2 core
  • 3 core
  • 2 core
  • 3 core
  • 2 core
  • 3 core
  • 2 core
  • 3 core
  • 0.17 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.15 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.25 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.22 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.33 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.29 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.39 cu. ft. / block
  • 0.34 cu. ft. / block

Effective Efflorescence Removal

Efflorescence is a deposit of soluble salts (usually white) that sometimes appears on the surface of masonry. It’s most obvious in winter, but it may be noticeable throughout the year after heavy rains or when there is a sudden drop in the temperature.

How to avoid it

Concrete masonry units manufactured with an integral water repellent will reduce if not eliminate the appearance of efflorescence. These water-repellent units can be used as the finished product for weather-tight buildings.

 

Harmful to masonry

If not corrected, efflorescence may result in the disintegration of your masonry. Soluble salts inherent in cement, mortar, and aggregate react with chemicals in the atmosphere. Moisture trapped inside a masonry wall will eventually move to the outside through evaporation or hydrostatic pressure.

 

How to remove efflorescence

Since most efflorescing salts are water soluble, it is easy to remove in most cases. Many of the salts will disappear with normal weather. Before removing efflorescence, it’s important to find the source of the problem and correct it so that it won’t reappear.

In most cases, it can be dry brushed, followed by flushing with clean water. If some still remain, wash the surface with a dilute solution of acid (5-10%). For integrally colored masonry, a more diluted solution (2%) is recommended to prevent etching that might change the color or texture of your block. Contact the experts at Tri County Block & Brick for more information on the removal of efflorescence. 

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