"Growth" on bricks Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss "Growth" on bricks in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; Hi All While the picture quality is bad, perhaps you can see the “fungi-like” growth on the brick edges. I ...

[Dolf]

Hi All

While the picture quality is bad, perhaps you can see the “fungi-like” growth on the brick edges. I know it must be the cement & the bricks & the water interacting, but can anybody tell me a bit more on what is happening here please ? very interesting!

Dolf

[brickie in oz]

Its called efflorescence, aka, salt crystals.
It will wash off once it rains, or you can wash it off, repeated washing will eventually get rid of the salt but it may take time.

The salt was probably in the sand or water you used, bore or dam water is full of salt..

[Dolf]

Thanks !
Most probably the water as it is borehole water. Actually very neat detail in the little webs. Nature rocks!! :-)

[michelevit]

I've had the same 'growth' on my bricks. I thought it was mold too.

[Dolf]

What did we do before forums to make us clever? Thanks all for sharing

Special thanks to James for giving us the forum platform!

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by Dolf

What did we do before forums to make us clever?

We used to go to the pub and chat face to face with real people....

[KraemerBAC]

I had it too and it did just wash away eventually

Peter

[Dolf]

Added advantage is that beer is cheaper than refractory bricks!
...but then again at some stage you stop needing bricks :-)

[SCChris]

On concrete distilled white vinegar will quickly clean it, I'd expect that it'll work for you as well.

Chris

[Dolf]

These actually wiped off under my thumb, I was more intrigued than worried, but there are some other kinds of stains for which I will be sure to try your advice thanks Chris