Efflorescence forms more quickly in areas that are exposed to excessive amounts of moisture such as near pool decks, spas, and fountains or where irrigation runoff is present.
In the open air the lime reacts with carbon dioxide to form water-insoluble calcium carbonate that might take the form of powdery efflorescence or dripstone-like crusting.
In this context efflorescence is sometimes referred to as saltpetering.
The two commonest effects are efflorescence and spalling.
A very common example of where secondary efflorescence occurs is steel-reinforced concrete bridges as well as parking garages.
They also repainted some areas the colours of which were lost because of the efflorescence of salts.
In some instances, the resultant efflorescence obscured painted images.
If the water evaporates, the minerals remain as the so-called efflorescence.
