White spots on mortar

[colin H]

Hello everyone
Can you tell me what these white spots are , on these two areas of brickwork, please, and how to remove it? It's around 20 years old , so thinking it's possibly some kind of lichen , rather than efflorescence?
Just trying to decide if I can clean up the area in the bottom picture, or re-point.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[DiyNutJob]

What is Efflorescence and How to Cure it

Find out what causes efflorescence and how to prevent it from appearing on brickwork, plaster, concrete and masonry surfaces

www.diydoctor.org.uk

 

[opps]

In the second image image you have both white and yellowish spots.

I am not sure, but I too think that it might be lichen.

Perhaps brush some dilute bleach on to a section of the pointing, wait a few days and see what happens.

 

[noseall]

View attachment 315712
Hello everyone
Can you tell me what these white spots are , on these two areas of brickwork, please, and how to remove it? It's around 20 years old , so thinking it's possibly some kind of lichen , rather than efflorescence?
Just trying to decide if I can clean up the area in the bottom picture, or re-point.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks View attachment 315713

Looks like lichen to me.