Designation: C 1400 – 01

Standard Guide for

Reduction of Efflorescence Potential in New Masonry Walls1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1400; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 4. Significance and Use

1.1 This guide covers methods for reducing efflorescence 4.1 This guide provides information that, if implemented,
potential in new masonry walls. will reduce efflorescence potential in new masonry walls.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded However, its implementation will not always completely pre-
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for vent efflorescence.
information only. 4.2 This guide may be augmented by related information
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the contained in Specification C 270’s appendix, the additional
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the material listed at the end of this specification, and other
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- publications.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5. Principles of Efflorescence
5.1 Efflorescence is directly related to the quantity of
2. Referenced Documents water-soluble compounds within, or exposed to, the wall; and
2.1 ASTM Standards: to the quantity of water exposed to these compounds. Since
C 43 Terminology of Structural Clay Products2 neither water nor water-soluble compounds can be completely
C 67 Test Method for Sampling and Testing Brick and eliminated from an exterior masonry wall, the potential for
Structural Clay Tile2 efflorescence is reduced by reducing water-soluble compounds
C 270 Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry2 and water within the wall.
C 1180 Terminology of Mortar and Grout for Unit Ma- 5.2 While water penetration is reduced through proper
sonry2 design and construction, water can penetrate into masonry
C 1209 Terminology of Concrete Masonry Units and Re- walls through cracks and separations in the surface and the top
lated Units2 of the wall. It can penetrate voids in the mortar joints or the
C 1232 Terminology of Masonry2 interface between the unit and mortar, and, to a lesser degree
through the masonry units and the hardened mortar.
3. Terminology 5.3 If a significant amount of water penetrates the wall, the
3.1 Definitions: water will dissolve water-soluble compounds that may exist in
3.1.1 Terminology defined in Terminologies C 43, C 1180, the masonry units, mortar components, grout, admixtures or
C 1209, and C 1232 shall apply in this guide. other secondary sources, and may deposit them on the exterior
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: surface of the masonry when it migrates to the wall surface
3.2.1 cryptoflorescence, n—a crystalline deposit of water- through evaporation. Deposits may also form within the
soluble compounds in the pores of masonry masonry resulting in cryptoflorescence.
3.2.2 efflorescence, n—a crystalline deposit, usually white, 5.4 The most common efflorescence deposits contain two or
of water-soluble compounds on the surface of masonry. more of the following: potassium, sodium, calcium, sulfates,
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The color of stains produced by acid- carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, and hydroxides.
soluble vanadium compounds in clay masonry is usually 5.5 Some water-soluble compounds deposited on the sur-
yellow or green. The color of stains produced by acid-soluble face of masonry can chemically react to form compounds that
manganese compounds is usually brown or gray. are not water-soluble. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) deposits on
masonry are a fairly common example. They are a result of
reaction between the efflorescence compound calcium hydrox-
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C15 on Manufactured ide and carbon dioxide after the calcium hydroxide is deposited
Masonry Units and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C15.05 on Masonry on the surface of the masonry and is exposed to the air.
Assemblies. 5.6 Under some circumstances, particularly when exterior
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2001. Published February 2001. Originally
published as C 1400–98. Last previous edition C 1400–98. coatings are present, efflorescence compounds can be depos-
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05. ited below the surface of the masonry units. This condition is

Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 1400
called cryptoflorescence. When cryptoflorescence occurs, the 6.3.1 Unobstructed drainage in air space of drainage walls.
forces resulting from its confinement can cause disintegration 6.3.2 Functional, unpunctured flashing and weep holes at
of the masonry surfaces. base of wall above grade; above openings in wall, shelf angles,
lintels, wall-roofing intersections, chimneys, and bay windows,
6. Reduction of Efflorescence Potential in New Masonry and below window sills and copings. The flashing should be
Walls extended beyond the exterior face of the wall. The flashing
6.1 Efflorescence on a new masonry wall is reduced when should have end dams at its discontinuous ends, and properly
water penetration of the wall is minimized; when water that sealed splices and laps at its joints.
penetrates or condenses in the wall is quickly drained from the 6.4 Contact between dissimilar masonry units is avoided by:
wall; when contact between dissimilar masonry units is 6.4.1 The use of cavity walls with unobstructed 2 in. (50
avoided; and when potential efflorescence compounds in the mm) minimum drainage air space to separate the exterior
wall materials are minimized. masonry wythe from the backup wall consisting of a dissimilar
6.2 The amount of water from wind-driven rain that is able masonry unit.
to penetrate a masonry wall is minimized by: 6.4.2 The use of flashing between masonry wall and sills,
6.2.1 Good bond and full contact between masonry units copings, and chimney caps of a dissimilar material.
and mortar. This condition is achieved by using mortar that is 6.4.3 The use of flashing or separator between changes in
compatible with the masonry units; completely filled head and materials in wall.
bed mortar joints in solid unit masonry; completely filled face 6.5 Potential efflorescence compounds in the wall materials
shells head and bed joints in hollow unit masonry; compacted can be minimized by:
concave, V, or grapevine mortar joints on the exterior face of 6.5.1 Preconstruction testing of all masonry materials, wa-
the wall; cold weather construction practices that prevent ter, cleaning agents, and admixtures to be used in a masonry
masonry materials from freezing; and by hot weather construc- wall to evaluate their potential to contribute to efflorescence.
tion practices that prevent newly placed mortar from drying The results of these tests should be evaluated together with the
rapidly. influence of construction practices and design in predicting
6.2.2 Construction practices that protect the tops and sides efflorescence potential in masonry walls. Available precon-
of uncompleted walls and openings from rain or snow during struction tests include: Test Method C 67 efflorescence test for
construction. brick; chemical analysis of cements to determine water soluble
6.2.3 The use of flashing at the intersection of roofing and alkali (Na2O K2O) content; chemical analysis of hydrated lime
masonry walls. to determine calcium sulfate content; and chemical analysis of
6.2.4 The use of sills, copings, and chimney caps of solid sand, water, admixtures and cleaning agents to determine
masonry units, stone, reinforced concrete, or corrosion resis- alkali, chloride, and sulfate content. Presently, there is no
tant metal. To be most effective, masonry, stone, and concrete ASTM efflorescence test for concrete masonry units or mortar.
sills, copings, and chimney caps should project beyond the face The potential for efflorescence increases with increasing
of the wall; have drips that are at least 1 in. (25 mm) from the amounts of water-soluble alkali, chlorides, and sulfates in the
face of the wall, and have functional flashing and weep holes. masonry wall materials.
In addition, all sills, copings, and chimney caps should be 6.5.2 Storage and protection of all masonry materials prior
sloped a minimum of 1:4; be mechanically anchored to the to use to prevent contact with dissimilar materials and to
wall, and should have properly sized, located, and sealed protect materials from moisture.
movement joints when necessary. 6.5.3 Protection of all masonry materials during transporta-
6.2.5 Properly sized, located, and sealed movement joints in tion when there is a probability of contamination from road
wall and around openings in wall. salts, fertilizers, and airborne contaminants.
6.2.6 Overhangs to protect the wall from rain. 6.5.4 Utilization of proper cleaning materials and proce-
6.2.7 Utilization of compatible water repellent coating on dures on new masonry walls.
concrete masonry walls or integral water repellent admixtures
in concrete masonry units. 7. Keywords
6.3 Water that penetrates a masonry wall is quickly drained 7.1 efflorescence; end dam; flashing; masonry units; mortar;
out of the wall by: preconstruction testing; water penetration; weep holes

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 C 1400
Additional Material

(1) Brownell, Wayne E., “The Causes and Control of Efflorescence on (5) “Efflorescence Prevention and Control, Part II of II,” Technical Notes
Brickwork,” Research Report Number 15, Structural Clay Products 23A (revised), Brick Institute of America, Reston, VA, June 1985.
Institute, McLean, VA, August 1969. (6) Grimm, C. T. “Water Permeance of Masonry Walls: A Review of the
(2) Chin, I. R., and Petry, L., “Design and Testing to Reduce Efflorescence Literature,” Masonry: Materials, Properties, and Performance, ASTM
Potential in New Brick Masonry Walls,” Masonry: Design and STP 778, J. G. Borchelt, Ed., American Society for Testing and
Construction, Problems and Repair, ASTM STP 1180, J. M. Melander
Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1982, pp. 178–199.
and L. R. Lauersdorf, Eds., American Society for Testing and
Materials, Philadelphia, 1993, pp. 3–17. (7) Grimm, C. T., The Hidden Flashing Fiasco, Construction Research
(3) “Control and Removal of Efflorescence,” NCMA-TEK 8-3A, National Center, University of Texas at Arlington, April 1994.
Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, VA, 1996. (8) “Trowel Tips: Efflorescence,” 1S239, Portland Cement Association,
(4) “Efflorescence Causes and Mechanisms, Part I of II,” Technical Notes Skokie, IL, 1991.
23 (revised), Brick Institute of America, Reston, VA, May 1985.

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