Michelangelo began the painting of the famed frescoes that grace the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1508 however, a film of white was released, covering up portions of his work. "I have a huge situation," the artist wrote on the subject (source: Ford]. He was confronted by the issue of efflorescence. The term refers to a discoloration caused by concrete slabs and masonry walls.

The term "eflorescence" originates from flowering. However, homeowners or artists are not promised a bouquet of roses. It may affect brick walls, stucco, concrete slabs, patio stones -- almost any form of brickwork. Staining concrete is an increasingly popular kind of flooring in the present and it is the more noticeable on the darker concrete slabs that are used to achieve this. Salt is attracted to the surface through porous openings. The water evaporates, the salt is left to remain as a solid.

According to the article, these salt deposits are usually grey or white, however they could also be either green or yellow, based on the kind of salt used. They can also appear as light scum or chalky. They may form crystals or "whiskers" and create fuzz within a limited surface. Sometimes they can cover large regions (source: Delaware Quarries].

Usually, the issue of efflorescence isn't a structural issue but an aesthetic matter. In rare instances, accumulation of salt may result in harm to the structure, or it could cause spalling (a cracking or blistering on the surfaces). If there is a moisture issue that creates persistent efflorescence could also indicate a mold problem [source: Bannister].

A glaringly ugly efflorescence could be unsettling, considering that it is often unnoticed and is hard to treat. The homeowners and contractors could face the same situation as Michelangelo that had to take away pieces of his artwork that were damaged and begin over. But don't get too worried just yet.https://crystaltheclub.com/ Next, the page will describe the factors that cause this kind of efflorescence. This will help to discover solutions.