please help--getting rid of white marks on my brick steps

i googled it and it seems to be called efflorescence. however, what i have seems much more severe than the pics i found. it looks like a small waterfall flowing down the side of my front steps. my camera is being fixed and i will take a pic as soon as i get it back. it is completely white--the brick does not show through. the pics i saw were more "powdery" looking and you could see the red brick through it.

what i found on google to fix it was mainly for flat horizontal bricks (like a walkway). mine is vertical. one site said powerwash it, another said absolutely don't powerwash it. one said use a wire brush, another said not to because it will leave brush strokes.

anyone have any experience with this? the steps are about 10 years old and have been there as long as i remember--so most of the 10 years. it's an eyesore, but i don't want to ruin the bricks anymore than they appear to be. i want to do it right, or hire the right people if need be.

i would appreciate any help i could get

Re: please help--getting rid of white marks on my brick steps

bump...anyone??

Re: please help--getting rid of white marks on my brick steps

How about calling a mason? They would most likely know what to do. I have never heard of that. Is it running off your siding maybe?