Question On Some Brick

6stringmason

Im doing some brick work in my folks basement.

Anyway, for the woodburner area, they chose Savannah Greys. Well these brick do not look anything like the sample board up at the yard.

They are a very blondish color with only little specks of brown showing through. Theres also what appears to be efflorescence coming through them already.

Take a look. Would any of you use these, and what is that white stuff on them?





They guy at the yard said 'ohh they'll get darker after awhile.'

I just have a bad feeling about the white stuff.

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DQM

" They guy at the yard said 'ohh they'll get darker after awhile.'"
I never heard of brick getting darker after time unless there out side and get dirty .Cant see pics they might get slightly darker after you wash them if they have a sandy texture. With out seeing pics my guess the white stuff is efflorescence and no I woulndnt use them.unless they realy have there mind set on that brick try washing them let them dry .As long as there is no more moisture the efflorescence will stop.
good luck

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6stringmason

Thanks for the reply. No they're not deadset on using them, but we have brushed them very vigorously with a hard bristled brush and they are still the same thing. And the last thing I want to do is wash a few hundred brick by hand after they've been carried in the basement already. The next time they go anywhere its back to the yard.

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920-680-3195
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Tscarborough

If brick change color after they leave the kiln, they are still green and are garbage. Same for any efflorescence prior to being laid.

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6stringmason

So what Im reading is do not lay them? I figured you would pipe in on this Tscar. I told my folks I would get a good recommendation from you guys here too.

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920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

stacker

sounds like the guy at the yard is trying to pawn of some bad brick.

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tkle

If they don't match the sample there's nothing more to say.

RZB

What about building a small sample panel and trying to clean that. If the color is way off the sample board the yard won't have much of an argument against taking them back.

MasonryPro

Try using a light cleaner like Fabrikem, which contains an acid used to remove the efflorescence. This method usually works, unless the stain is very large in size and imbedded deep into the masonry facing.

Also efflorescence can be avoided by properly sealing masonry after its 30-day cure period, making sure no moisture is behind the masonry application.


Mastercraft Masonry
Professional Masonry Since 1974
Oregon / Washington

jomama

There's no reason you should have to seal, scrub or chemicaly wash new brick inside. 6string, I don't think you'll have to worry about "making sure no moisture is behind the masonry application" in their basement!

Just take them back to County or Zoll & get some different ones.

Tscarborough

There is no sample panel being built for less than 20,000 brick around here, and there is no accepting brick that are showing efflorescence before they are laid.

Brick can vary from the sample boards, and often do, but, "they will darken with age" or any other bull**** comment like that should alert you to the caliber of your salesman. Request a different contact, and choose another brick.

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robert77

there is no real way of getting rid of effloresence but if it is internal it should be ok. ensure there is a membrane up the back. As it is below damp level the efflorescence will always come through but if kept dry it will vanish in time. internal brickwork does not weather