Cost to Cure Brick Efflorescence – 2021

| Last Updated: August 20, 2021

National Average Improvement and Repair Cost

Pro

DIY

Hours:

2.7

3.5

Cost:

$ 143

$ 20

Would you do this project? According to our survey, 65% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.

The average price to Cure Brick Efflorescence noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.

What’s the cost to remove efflorescence on brick? The house cleaning service cost to remove efflorescence on brick is $143 vs. doing it yourself for $20. 

If you have a brick house or fireplace with blotchy white spots, it’s probably efflorescence, a condition that develops when moisture from within the bricks rises to the surface and evaporates. The residue is a deposit of mineral salts that looks like a white powdery substance.

Since the cause of the efflorescence is excessive moisture behind the brick, first find its source and correct the problem. It might be a leaky gutter or loose downspout that allows rain to run down the brick. Or it may be as simple as adding caulk around doors and windows to prevent moisture.

A handyman or house cleaning service will charge $143 to remove efflorescence from a 150-square-foot area, which includes the labor and material. You can remove the substance for $20, the cost of a clear water sealer, and save 86 percent. You need a stiff bristle wire brush and a garden hose or power washer to scrub the surface; then apply a clear water sealer to protect the bricks. And take precautions to protect the plants around it by covering them with a drop cloth.

If the efflorescence is located on bricks on the second story of your house, we think it’s definitely a job for a service who has a crew with ladders and the experience to work on them. If the white blotches are only on the first floor and easy to reach, it’s a doable job for a homeowner.

The Masonry Institute explains The Cause and Control of Efflorescence.

Wrapping up, given the average cost to remove brick efflorescence you can compare the price of a contractor’s bid with doing it yourself.

Here are some more helpful cost breakdowns:

Welcome! We hope you’ll find the job costs of home improvement projects useful when you’re deciding whether to do a job yourself vs. hire a contractor. We’re the authors of 20 home improvement books, most notably Home Improvement for Dummies©, Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies©, Carpentry for Dummies©, Plumbing for Dummies©, and Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies©. Our most recent book Fix It and Flip It is in its second edition. We’ve appeared as home improvement experts on television programs such as CNN, Dateline, the Today Show, HGTV and many others.