What is growing on my basement wall?
Efflorescence
Efflorescence is commonly confused with mold. It is a white, powdery, sometimes glistening substance that appears on basement wall surfaces. Efflorescence is a loose mineral salt that is carried in with the water that infiltrates the concrete, being deposited on the walls during the process.
What is efflorescence on basement walls?
Efflorescence is a white or gray-colored streak or formation that can either be powdery or crystalline in texture. This is often the result of any leaking water interacting with the salt deposits on the surface of your basement walls or floor.
How do you treat efflorescence in basement walls?
Here are some of the ways efflorescence can be removed: Scrub brush and detergent: For minor cases, simply scrubbing the salts away with a household detergent can be enough to remove them. Hitting the spot with hot water will make it seem to vanish, but as soon as the water dries it will just reappear.
What is the black stuff on my basement walls?
Dark black or grayish stains on the wall are a sign of mold. Mold thrives in the presence of high humidity, warmth, and organic matter. It’s always warm enough in your home for mold to grow, even in the cold basement, and household dust carries enough organic matter to feed it.
What does basement wall mold look like?
Mold will often appear to look fuzzy or hairy. It will grow in patches and maybe be different shades of colors. Mold will be slimy, damp, and may smear when touched. As mold gets older, it will look dry and powdery and will dust off the wall when touched.
What is the white fluffy stuff on my wall?
It can be just a white powder on your concrete, salt-like crystals, white fuzzy stuff, or what looks like white stalactites growing on your concrete wall. These white deposits happen when water is drawn out of a cementious material: it is called efflorescence. It is a scientific reaction.
How can you tell the difference between white mold and efflorescence?
How Do You Know Which It Is?
- Efflorescence dissolves in water, while mold does not.
- If rubbed between your fingers, efflorescence turns powdery. Mold does not.
- Mold can be any color, but is often black or gray. …
- Efflorescence develops on inorganic building materials, like concrete and brick.
What does efflorescence look like?
Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts often seen on brick, concrete, paving stones, stucco, or other building surfaces. It occurs when water leaves behind salt deposits on or in the masonry surface. It has a white or grey tint and can also appear as a powdery substance on floors or walls.
What is the fuzzy white stuff on concrete?
The white, fluffy substance is efflorescence and the black spotting on the wall is mold growth. Efflorescence occurs when moisture moves through the concrete and deposits minerals/salts on the surface.
What does black mold look like on basement walls?
Most black mold shapes and patterns will appear slimy or shiny due to the moisture of the environment in which it grows. However, if leaks have been fixed, the mold will appear to be dry and even powdery.
What does harmful black mold look like?
Stachybotrys chartarum typically appears black or extremely dark gray in color. This mold tends to have very round splotches with a speckled appearance. Often, you see darker layers of mold over lighter layers.
What does black mold in a basement look like?
Black mold will look like soot and may be dusty. If the job is too big, or you have health issues that could be exacerbated from addressing the mold issue, contact a professional cleaning service or mold remediation company, such as Woodard, and stay as far away from the area as possible. Dry out the damp space.
What are the signs of mold in a basement?
Here are some of the top warning signs that you may have a mold infestation that requires basement waterproofing or foundation repair.
- A damp or musty smell. …
- Black spots or stains. …
- Peeling wallpaper or paint. …
- Damp, humid basement. …
- Condensation on windows and pipes. …
- Allergies and health problems.
How can you tell if you have mold behind drywall?
Visible Signs of Mold
Mold can have different colors and textures, so be sure to recognize them. Mold can be black, green, gray, white, or brown. Mold can even appear orange, pink or purple when it grows behind vinyl wallpaper. Another sign of visible mold is discoloration of walls, even if it has been painted over.
What should I do if I suspect mold in my basement?
How to Treat Mold in Your Basement
- Prepare the Work Area. Ventilate the room with a box fan with the airflow moving toward the exterior. …
- Dry the Work Area. Use the wet/dry vacuum to vacuum up water. …
- Spray the Mold With Mold Remover. …
- Clean or Encapsulate the Mold. …
- Prevent the Mold From Growing Again.
Is it safe to live in house with mold in basement?
The CDC, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns about the dangers of living with mold in the home: Respiratory tract symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, and swelling of the throat. Those who have asthma and allergy problems are especially at risk.
Does a damp basement mean mold?
If your basement has a damp, musty odor, it is probably a breeding ground for mold. Mold spores are notorious for causing reactions such as wheezing, stuffy or runny noses, itchy and watery eyes, rashes or hives, and even asthma attacks.
What does mold on concrete walls look like?
What does mold on concrete look like? Mold might look like black spots or areas that have turned green. Some mold is white, but can be confused with efflorescence, which is a salty film on the concrete. If the white substance dissolves easily with water it is likely the latter.
Can mold grow on concrete basement walls?
In the construction, architecture and engineering fields, mold is a hot topic because it definitely grows in and on concrete. Mold growth on concrete occurs in any geographical area of the world and has the potential to lead to health problems and structural damage.
What kills mold on concrete walls?
Mix one part bleach with three parts water in a bucket. Using a scrub brush or heavy-duty sponge, vigorously scrub the mold-affected wall with the bleach/water solution until the mold spots have disappeared.
