Removing any dirt on the brick surface that may be confused as efflorescence using a soft bristle brush
Placing the bricks (sample set) UPRIGHT (with the longer side of the brick as vertical) in the dish containing Distilled Water
The depth of water should be 25 mm
The dish with water and bricks should be placed in a warm room with a temperature of around 25-30° C
Allow the entire water to evaporate
Once the water is evaporated, fill up the dish once more with 25mm of water
All the entire water to evaporate once more as before
Classification of Efflorescence
Once the test is concluded as per the above method, the bricks are examined and classified as under:
Nil — When there is no perceptible deposit of efflorescence.
SIight — When not more than 10 percent of the exposed area of the brick is covered with a thin deposit of salts.
Moderate — When there is a heavier deposit than under ‘slight’ and covering up to 50 percent of the exposed area of the brick surface but unaccompanied by powdering or flaking of the surface.
Heavy — When there is a heavy deposit of salts covering 50 percent or more of the exposed area of the brick surface but unaccompanied by powdering or flaking of the surface.
Serious — When there is a heavy deposit of salts accompanied by powdering and/or flaking of the exposed surfaces.
Acceptance Criteria of Bricks for the degree of Efflorescence:
Clay bricks are only accepted for use as per the following criteria:
