I just got back from our HOA meeting and the president stated the
retaining walls in our complex may need replacement. The landscape
contractor said the efflorescence appearing in the concrete walls holding
back the slope behind our complex would eventually weaken them and cause
them to fail. The slopes are substantial and are only 10 feet away from
the houses so it is cause for alarm if this is the case. However, the
walls have stood for 19 years and there is no sign of damage or mortar
crumbling in any of them. The walls are concrete block--not a solid wall,
but I don't know if concrete or dirt was packed inside it. The estimate
for each wall was $15K and we'd have to do 5 of them. Is the
efflorescence actually weakening the wall?

Thanks, Paul