Brick color shifts after rain baffled me for 5 years

Ngl, I did a driveway in Austin last month and the homeowner pointed out the bricks looked darker in patches the morning after a storm. Turns out efflorescence from the mortar mix was trapping moisture, and a simple vinegar wash solved it before sealing. Has anyone else dealt with this on limestone blends or am I just late to the party?

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nathan4925d ago

Feel you on this one, efflorescence is the worst because it looks like a stain at first but it's really a moisture problem hiding in the mortar. Had a similar deal on a limestone blend job where the color shifted for weeks and I kept blaming the sealer I used. Turns out the mortar was holding water and the salts were coming to the surface every time it rained. Vinegar works great for small spots but I've had better luck with a stiff brush and letting it dry out fully before touching anything. Glad you caught it early before sealing, because trapping that moisture under a sealer is a whole other nightmare.

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