These pumps are also self-activating, so you will not have to worry about turning them on yourself in the event of a large storm. White mineral splotches on the concrete dont cause structural damage and they dont make people sick, but theyre evidence that something is going wrong behind the surface. Efflorescence might seem like a substance you cannot entirely prevent on your own. Our basement wall products are just what you need to address ugly, leaky basement walls. Should primary efflorescence occur after construction, this can be a sign that any present leaks have caused this efflorescence to form instead. Should I be concerned about efflorescence in basement concrete? If it is secondary efflorescence, however, other solutions may need to be deployed to clear up the persistent formation of the characteristic white blooms. This will save you the time and effort to find qualified and trusted contractors.Have Contractors compete for your business not the other way around! This increases the porous qualities of the masonry and the water absorptive nature of the wall. Iron bacteria survives by oxidizing dissolved minerals from water -- particularly ferrous iron and manganese. Check with your local dealership for specific warranty information. Protect your home with our proven solutions & lifetime warranty. Fuzzywhite deposits are frequently mistaken for white mold, and while both create similar eyesores on masonry, efflorescence is not a danger to public health like mold is. Cracks that measure less than 1/8 inches wide can generally be left alone. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This is often the result of any leaking water interacting with the salt deposits on the surface of your basement walls or floor. However, you should still schedule an appointment with basement experts as soon as you can just in case it splits apart any wider. You need solutions that will prevent efflorescence from infiltrating your basement altogether. For severe and persistent efflorescence, it will often take a professional to renew the concretes surface. Plus we listen to our customers and respond accordingly! The bright white color of the panels makes optimal use of available lighting, while its washable surface remains clean-looking and cheery for decades to come. It could be a basement wall issue, or it could be another poor drainage issue like gutters or a leaking sprinkler line. Though using water might seem counterintuitive in this matter, a power wash might also work to get rid of any crystalline efflorescence residue as well. We simply offer answers for your basement questions. But before we brushed on the sealant, we needed to treat the walls by removing the efflorescence, the white salt-like substance that naturally occurs on all concrete surfaces that are exposed to moisture in low temperatures. Special chemicals can remove stains from iron ochre, but if the surfaces continue to be in contact with iron-bacteria-infested water, the stains will quickly return. No tools are included in the system, so you'll also need to pick up a five-gallon bucket, sponges, wire brushes, and paint brushes. Efflorescence is a controllable condition that should not be a problem in modern masonry. Sump pumps are a key part of the drainage system as well. The thinking is that these coatings will seal off the pores to prevent moisture from making its way through the basement walls. The white fuzzy stuff you see along the inside and outside of your basement wall is efflorescence. Once installed, it creates a vapor barrier on your walls that holds back water vapor from the concrete, assuring a drier, healthier basement environment. If your efflorescence problem has cropped up long after your home has been constructed, however, then this is likely due to a hidden leak or flood dredging up the salts embedded within the very walls and floor of your basement. It is then that efflorescence will activate and start to spread in your basement. We will submit your proposal to qualified and screened contractors and have them bid on your project. In fact, for just one 34-foot wall, we had to purchase five gallons. This unique insulated paneling system is a perfect way to prepare your basement walls for your own custom paneling. Pests are more drawn toward homes that have moisture issues as well. You may not even realize that it is hard at work until you come down to a totally dry basement during a severe storm. As there were fumes, I made sure the area was well ventilated, by opening the windows and using small fans. We're using the DryLok system which includes an etching product to remove the efflorescence, a quick concrete patching system to fill in holes, and a sealant for the walls. Efflorescence can spread fairly fast down your basement walls and along your floor. A wide variety of chemical treatments exist to treat efflorescence, including acids that etch the surface and a variety of less-dangerous chemicals designed specifically for the purpose. A system design specialist from one of our dealerships will inspect and measure your basement or crawl space completely FREE of charge.You will also receive one of our books (valued at $14.95 USD) at no cost to you including free shipping. If you need a Contractor, we will do the leg work for you. The problem should never be ignored, since moisture can easily ruin a newly finished basement. Many homeowners contact us with concerns about basement walls that are stained, ugly, or supporting mold growth. When installed on basement walls, ThermalDry does double duty for your home. Once, the source of the water infiltration has been located and stopped then the walls can be cleaned with an efflorescence remover. The etch splattered and I didn't want to get this stuff in my eyes. Most fired clay brick do not greatly contribute towards the efflorescence problem. Oftentimes, efflorescence is seen as a minor inconvenience that can easily be brushed away. These deposits often appear without warning on freshly laid concrete and brick. Foundation cracks or poor drainage could be causing a lot of moisture movement in your concrete and raising the chances of structural water damage. It's also commonly found on floors. The etching product is sold in 12-ounce containers and an entire bottle is dissolved in a gallon of warm water. ZenWall Insulated Wall Panels are the best way to make an unfinished section of a basement look its best. Often, larger cracks that measure more than 1/4 inches wide indicate serious damage to your foundation. It can be difficult to distinguish one fungus from the other, as well as noticing the difference between mold or mildew spores and efflorescence itself. You will notice the trails of this substance directly following the path of the leaks in your basement. An alternative to sandblasting, which has shown good success when done properly is the use of special chemical cleaners. You may even see efflorescence spread along underneath the sealants as a white blush-like substance instead, which can obviously be a cause for concern since you would then have to break through the sealant to clean it up yourself. Be sure to use a good detergent soap and lots of elbow grease when trying this approach. The blooming white substance is actually a mineral formation created by water evaporating from masonry, and it can be removed and treated by a specialist in basement repairs and renovations. Efflorescence might seem harmless at first glance. It will generally look like a white, powdery substance. We have six different wall products that will keep your basement clean, dry, and beautiful all the time! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold spores can induce negative health symptoms in you and your family. This slime smells terrible, fouls the taste of water, and will stain anything it touches, including laundry, tubs, faucets, and any concrete it comes in contact with. Beavercreek, OH, 45440. However, if you see any chalky or crystalline streaks spreading down your walls or your floor, this might be a sign that you have efflorescence. Similarly, mold is much slimmer or even fuzzier in texture compared to mildew, which is more powdery and fluffier. Salts like calcium carbonate are the most common causes of white efflorescence in basement concrete. ** Warranties vary by product and service. Efflorescence should not stop you from finishing a basement. This is why it is important that you schedule an appointment with the basement experts at Ohio Basement Authority as soon as you can. There is no easy way to remove waterproof paint from basement walls. Our innovative and forward-thinking approach to designing products has solved wet basement problems that the basement waterproofing and crawl space industry has faced for decades, and our patented sump pump systems are the smartest and most reliable. What happens is, water infiltrates the block or the concrete wall and dissolves minerals. Any leaks in your basement can then easily open wider and contribute to huge floods inside your basement. Given the fact that Ohio tends to be quite humid in the summertime, your basement acts as the perfect place for these fungi to grow. While it didn't leave a burn mark, it wasn't a fun experience. Like our other wall products, it can be tucked into a perimeter drain system to direct water to a sump pump system. Those with asthma or chronic lung diseases may also find their own symptoms triggered by these spores. These chemicals can melt the skin from your bones and the fumes can kill you if handled improperly. Since 1987, Basement Systems, Inc. and its network of affiliated contractors have helped restore peace of mind to thousands of homeowners across North America. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We can also repair drywall damaged by basement flooding. Calcium sulfate (found in bricks), sodium sulfate (found in cement-brick mixtures), sodium carbonate (found in mortar), and potassium carbonate (also found in mortar) are all salts found in building materials commonly used in basement construction. We'd like to meet with you to show you our product line and explain how we can help you dry your basement and make it look its best! Brick and cement are porous, so some moisture is naturally moving through them at all times unless special sealants are applied. CleanSpace wall is a flexible, pliable sheet of cord-reinforced plastic that works to cover irregular surfaces on both walls and floors. And, just like basement walls, waterproof paint on your floor will come off, leaving an ugly mess. Remember, cleaning efflorescence from masonry walls does not cure the problem; it only removes the symptoms. Because efflorescence is made up of water and water-soluble salts, it might help to know what kinds of salts in building materials can be affected. Minerals working their way to the surface of brick or concrete are a natural phenomenon, so a little spot of efflorescence probably isnt a leaking foundation. If your basement was finished when flooding occurred, chances are your finished walls experienced heavy water damage. A sump pump and interior drainage system is an excellent start to waterproofing your basement from leaks, flooding, and other causes of efflorescence. In the winter, rocksalt can mix with melting snow and ice to work its way into the foundation of homes, especially those with poor drainage. While we don't get flooding in the basement, we do get some water, especially during heavy rains, and moisture behind finished walls can lead to mold. Our experts will also install solutions that repair any cracks or other openings that lead into your basement. After I removed all of the heavy areas of efflorescence I stepped back and realized that there were still lighter amounts in very large areas and the etch solution needed to be applied to the whole wall. Fortunately, there are a few ways to stop efflorescence in its tracks. Don't worry this annoying build up isn't hazardous; efflorescence is simply salt and can be easily removed with efflorescence removers and other cleaning techniques. at 609-647-4555 for a consultation. The pipes will be perfectly fitted to the wall and floor joints and are perforated with holes along the bottom so that they can collect any groundwater that tries to well up and flood your basement. It is not wise to ignore any leaks, no matter how small they might seem. It can be frustrating to have to deal with the same problem repeatedly in the same spots. Although efflorescence is generally a visual problem, if the efflorescence crystals grow inside the surface of the unit, it can cause spalling, which is when the surface peels, pops out or flakes off. Regular cleaning and installing a sump pump and interior drainage system should fully protect your basement from any moisture or efflorescence infiltration. The best way to prevent efflorescence in basement concrete is to have the surface professionally sealed. However, you may have to routinely clean your basement if you do not address the moisture infiltration issues that are causing this efflorescence to develop in the first place. If it does not return, then the cause was initial moisture and salts from when the concrete was placed. ThermalDry is most commonly used on walls that are about to be finished, creating a dry, energy efficient surface that will preserve your custom wall paneling system over it. Efflorescence begins as a white dusting on masonry surfaces. surfaces. Properly sealed walls shouldnt look like they were spray-painted white, and severe efflorescence is probably a result of water leaking in somewhere. With much easier access to water, they will be less likely to leave your home and instead spread their infestation even further. And once the first coat dried, the second coat went on even quicker. The deposits become harder to remove the longer theyre allowed to rest on the masonry, so it is best to clean the surface as soon as possible. Our last step was applying a water blocking sealant to the concrete walls. This includes burning or watery eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing and/or wheezing, and skin rash. Water containing iron bacteria can also leave ugly rust-colored stains on your concrete. Your contractor should be able to determine the issue and find a solution to keep your basement efflorescence free. One of the biggest benefits of this system is how well hidden it is. Efflorescence tends to spread along unsealed surfaces more often than sealed ones. If left alone for too long, it will start to flake away at your masonry within the basement. White minerals blooming on the surface of bricks and concrete are known as efflorescence. Spotting chalky, white streaks across your basement is a sign of efflorescence. Efflorescence is often viewed as superficial damage that is merely scrubbed away each time it appears. review process. Once the walls dried completely, it was on to applying the waterproofinga substance very much like paint, but much thicker. * What is a Free Estimate and Inspection? They are also a sign of much deeper damage hidden directly below you, too. As with all natural materials, there are often some harmless inclusions blended in with concrete or brick before they set. 50 Brilliant Back-to-School Organization Ideas, TikTok's "Product Overload" Trend Is Dangerous, The Best Spanish-Language Shows on Netflix, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. When tucked into your perimeter drain, it directs flooding water to your sump pump system, keeping it away from your home and finished walls. You don't need to finish your basement for great-looking basement walls! Yes, because efflorescence is a sign that something is wrong with your basements moisture management. Unfortunately it removes just about everything else, too. How to Prevent Efflorescence in a Basement. Waterproof paints and coatings are used on basement walls to try to hold back moisture. Once the efflorescence is removed and the surface is treated, there should be no problem framing walls and installing flooring. It definitely could. If your basement walls are unsealed and efflorescence appears, rest easy knowing that effloresce can be removed. We also offer several options that will insulate your walls and prepare your basement for finishing. The name efflorescence does mean to flower out in French, so you can imagine how quickly this substance can spread around your basement once it settles inside. Keep in mind that different materials in combination with these water-soluble salts may display different discolorations and effects, so you should be able to identify signs of efflorescence along different surfaces. Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Our interior drainage systems are also completely customizable to fit your unique basement. What is efflorescence and how exactly can you get rid of it? This substance consists of a crystalline salt deposit that coats the surface of porous building materials such as brick, stone, stucco, or concrete. These panels are waterproof, and designed to tuck into your perimeter waterproof system. The salt pushes from the inside out and can eventually cause crumbling and deterioration. It is a truly frustrating substance that builders have tried their best to prevent and avoid at all costs. It is a good idea to be able to identify these smaller problem signs before they grow worse. In practice, these systems rarely work the way they're meant to. I didn't wear long sleeves or pants and learned the hard way that this substance burns when it gets onto the skin. Efflorescence are minerals that are being carried by moisture to the surface and an indication of excess moisture issues. Along with insulating your basement walls, it also creates a vapor barrier on the walls, holding back water vapor from the concrete. Efflorescence is a white or gray-colored streak or formation that can either be powdery or crystalline in texture. What I've Learned: WEAR GOGGLES AND GLOVES when removing the efflorescence! Leaks are also the main source of efflorescence development. Another culprit is, of course, the clay brick itself.