Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1885 — Why Brick Walls Grow White. [ARTICLE]

Why Brick Walls Grow White.

“I will give any man SIOO,OOO who will produce anything that will prevent a wall of pressed! brick from turning white,” said a prominent Chicago architect. The remark was called forth by the appearance of the walls of one of the finest office buildings in the city, recently completed at a cost of $500,000. A glance at the huge pile of pressed brick discovered numerous streaks and blotches of white covering the greater portion of the surface of the four upper stories of the grand structure. “That white appearance,” said he; “which is unpleasant to the eye, is not injurious to the wall, but it is decidedly objectionable. It is sulphate of magnesia—although generally called saltpeter, and is brought out of the bricks by the moisture in the atmosphere. In a very dry season it does not show itself so much, but in a wet season, it forms an. incrustation that makes a brick wall appear at a disadvantage. Many experiments have been tried to prevent its appearance, but without effect. Many walls of pressed brick are oiled as soon as they are completed. This prevents the appearance of the magnesia for awhile, but it comes out in time. The painting of walls is resorted to as a preventive, but it will even come through heavy coats of paint.” * * * * Young or middle-aged men suffering from nervous debility or other delicate diseases, however induced, speedily and permanently cured. Address, World’s Dispensary Medical Associat on, Buffalo, N. Y. A favorite dessert with lawyers is sue it pudding.— Boston B illeUn.