Why do the bricks turn white

There's a funny thing round our way. All the houses are generally in good condition (mine has a great crack in it but apart from that its fine)

Yet the front garden walls, presumably built at the same time as the houses, are all well knackered. I have a feeling that more effort went into the house build than the walls, presumably someone thought garden walls are less critical.

 

Hi Zigs

I'm at the end of a 6month long side extension. The builders are here for another 3 weeks they've used yellow London bricks for inside and out (we have exposed brick in the kitchen) some of the inside has done white and all the outside has. is there anything that can be done to solve this before the builders leave? I've made them seal the Inside brick, the stuff they've already done isn't white but I'm concerned about the rest the builder just says it'll go over time but I'm worried the jobs not been done correctly or that I'll have white dusty bricks for ever.

All suggestions much appreciated.

I believe they've used a yellow sand to put them all together.

I wanted to upload a pic to show you but don't know how!

Thanks, t

 

to Gardeners Corner Mstms85,
weird isn't it? The thing we are all talking about is this wet stuff - not the lovely things that we hope to grow in the garden soon.
Ziggy will be along to help you out, hope you enjoy wandering through the lovely threads on the Forum,
Jenny namaste

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner

It will go over time as the salts come to the surface, you could poltice it to draw the salts out but its a messy job and I wouldn't recommend it while there's still a risk of frost as it involves wetting the wall down to mobilise the salts. Could cause damage if it freezes

 

well i never, its not just a gardening forum, ace innit!

 

Yep, not just a load of old flower pots