Efflorescence Cement Siding

It is the result of a process in which moisture draws salt crystals to the surface evaporates and leaves a chalky substance behind.

Efflorescence cement siding.

Efflorescence is caused when soluble salts and other water dispersible materials come to the surface of concrete and mortars. And darks have more room to fade than lighter colors. It is the result of a process in which moisture draws salt crystals to the surface evaporates and leaves a chalky substance behind. Efflorescence in concrete is a whitish coloured powdered deposition of salts on the concrete surface that is formed due to evaporation of water from the concrete.

Paint pigments will fade with sun exposure. Causes usually efflorescence is primarily composed of calcium carbonate formed when leached calcium hydroxide ch from within the concrete reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Concrete can be stained when salts and other materials will come off the concrete surface. Soluble compounds in the masonry or adjoining materials moisture to pick up the compounds and carry them to the surface evaporation or hydrostatic pressure that causes the solution to move if any one of these conditions is eliminated efflorescence will not occur.

Once inside the water dissolves salts and other minerals in the substrate. Efflorescence is a naturally occurring white powdery deposit that can appear on cement based building materials including bricks cement walls grout and fiber cement. Efflorescence will be triggered by low temperatures humidity condensation and rain. It is caused when water soluble salts are present in the concrete material which comes on to the surface while evaporation of water from the concrete.

Efflorescence can form a thick layer on the surface which can completely hide the concrete s color or as in your case create unsightly white patches. Actually everything fades with sun exposure. The stains are normally white and are present in darker colors more than white or pale colors due to the contrast created by the chemical reaction. A combination of three common circumstances causes efflorescence.

What can be done about it. If efflorescence occurs it can be remedied with. While not considered a warranty issue for these reasons certainteed is still concerned with your ultimate satisfaction. Different qualities of paint will fade at different rates.

Sometimes over time efflorescence can appear on fiber cement siding. To recap efflorescence is the result of a natural process that can occur in cement based materials. Fiber cement efflorescence chalking and fading is not the same thing as efflorescence and the siding is most likely painted not stained. It can happen even though the siding materials have been properly installed.