2008 Home and Yard Show
Have questions or need advice? We can help!
The sun is shining and the snow is finally melting! The Spokane Home and Yard Show at the Spokane Fairgrounds is just around the corner.
Whether you need a retaining wall, a paver patio, Cultured Stone or courtyard walls, we have the products to fit the bill.
White Block Company has the know how to help you plan, design and build the outdoor living space of your dreams.
Our friendly staff, can help you with most material and installation questions so you can build it right the first time.
Stop in and see us at 2008 Spokane Home & Yard Show.
Thursday, February 28th - 12:00 noon to 9:00pm
Friday, February 29th - 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm
Saturday, March 1st - 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 2nd - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
See You There !
Efflorescence
The white film, known as Efflorescence, is normal for many masonry products. It sometimes appears on the surface of brick, block or pavers.
It usually is not permanent and will disappear over time.
You can normally brush off the powdery substance using a stiff nylon bristle brush.
Efflorescence is a natural occurrence from the cement hydration process.
Calcium oxide from the cement reacts with water inside the block and forms calcium hydroxide. When the Sun warms up the block, it draws the moisture to the surface bringing the calcium hydroxide to the surface, which reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air to form calcium carbonate, a whitish powdery residue.
When moisture on the surface evaporates, it becomes visible. It can usually be washed off or will wear off over time.
Not all white residue is efflorescence. Sometimes you may have a hard, crusty spot or streaking on the block.
This is Lime Run.
Lime streaks occur primarily during new construction when grouted CMU are exposed to inclement weather cycles.
This weather pattern dissolves the free lime in the mortar. As the CMU wall dries, the free lime then migrates to the surface of the CMU block and forms crystalline lime run.
It is more difficult to remove than efflorescence.
Another issue is Hard Water Deposits.
Typically caused by incorrectly adjusted sprinkler heads, hard water deposits are a result of the minerals in the water being left on the surface of the block once it has dried out.
We do have products available that aid in the removal of efflorescence, lime run and hard water deposits.
Please call us for more information on these cleaners.