What your seeing is called efflorescence which are mineral deposits from moisture which sometimes seeps through exterior walls. Even though the basement walls may be inset from the main level water will migrate through soil layers. It appears that the other side of that wall is in contact with compacted soil.
What is efflorescence on basement walls?
Efflorescence is a white or grayish buildup of salts that occurs when water is present on mineral-origin building surfaces like concrete, brick, stone, etc. When water on these surfaces evaporates, the efflorescence remains.
What is the yellow stuff on my basement walls?
A The yellowish stains leaching through the coats of Drylok and primer on your walls are an indication that water in either liquid or vapor form still is entering your basement. So you have two problems: One is the water infiltration; the other has to do with eliminating the staining on the walls.
How do I know if I have moisture in my basement?
What are the signs of moist basements?
- Mold or mildew appearance on floors and walls.
- Walls look or feel unusually cold or wet.
- Efflorescence on floors and walls.
- Damp patches on the base of the wall rising upwards.
- Floor paint and wallpaper peel off.
- Excessive condensation on your windows.
How do I keep moisture out of my basement walls?
Insulate Your Basement: Insulating the places where condensation builds up can also help to eliminate moisture. Covering those places, such as walls, pipes, and ducts, with insulation, will help keep warm air from coming in contact with the cool surfaces, thus preventing condensation.
Will a dehumidifier prevent efflorescence?
A dehumidifier cannot help you fix efflorescence in the crawl space. What it does is remove excess moisture from the air in your crawl space and drain the water to your sump pump system, which then drains it out and away from your home.
Should I be worried about efflorescence?
Ultimately, efflorescence itself isn’t dangerous. However, it can lead to potential moisture problems that can cause structural damage to building materials. That means if you find efflorescence in the basement or on concrete and other structures, it’s important to take action.
What does mold on a basement wall look like?
Typically, mold colonies will grow in round patterns. They come in many different colors, other than just black; mold can also be green, white, brown, or yellow. A good identifier of basement mold or mold in your home is a yellow or pink stain on wallpaper or drywall or wood.
Is efflorescence in basement a problem?
Efflorescence is a common problem in concrete and masonry block foundations. The white fuzzy stuff you see along the inside and outside of your basement wall is efflorescence.
How can you tell the difference between white mold and efflorescence?
Differences Between Efflorescence & Mold
Mold is a fungus, efflorescence is moisture that evaporates into salt deposits. Efflorescence will turn into a powder when touched, while mold will not. Efflorescence is white, yellow or brown, while mold can be any color.
Should you run a dehumidifier in the basement all the time?
The level of humidity in a basement should perform just enough to keep humidity at a safe level. Basements are more exposed to a constant source of moisture from the external environment; therefore, your dehumidifier should run very frequently. Molds tend to become a problem at a relative humidity of 60% and above.
Is Drylock good for basement walls?
Recommended for the most demanding conditions and capable of resisting the hydrostatic pressure equivalent to a 33-foot-tall wall of water, DRYLOK Extreme does what other, broadly similar products do, only better.
Does Flex Seal work on basement walls?
Flex Seal Liquid is thicker than paint and dries into a strong, rubberized coating. It can also help seal out air, water, and moisture and is chemical and mildew resistant – making it a great choice for your basement walls.
How do you seal a basement concrete wall?
Interior Waterproofing Your Basement Walls and Basement Floor
- Step 1: Clean the Area. First you’ll want to clean up the areas you’ll be waterproofing. …
- Step 2: Plug Holes. …
- Step 3: Fill Cracks. …
- Step 4: Seal Openings. …
- Step 5: Apply Waterproof Coating.
Are hairline cracks in basement walls normal?
You should expect a few hairline cracks to form over time. These should be filled and repaired, but they’re not a cause for undue concern for a homeowner. On the other hand, if your foundation is settling more significantly or unevenly, that’s a different story.
Can I seal my basement from the inside?
Waterproofing a basement in the inside is a very popular option because it is done without major exterior excavation and, in some cases, can be done very quickly and economically.
Is it OK to paint basement walls?
Once you’ve ensured your basement has been waterproofed and free of any harmful components like mold or water damage, you can begin preparing the walls for paint.
Can I waterproof my basement myself?
DO apply a masonry waterproofing product to bare interior basement walls. If your foil test showed that water is soaking through your basement walls and leaving them wet, seal the interior of the walls with a high-quality waterproof paint, such as DRYLOK White Extreme Waterproofer (available from Home Depot).
Should I waterproof my basement from the inside or outside?
Though labor-intensive and expensive to carry out, waterproofing your basement from outside provides the most efficient way of preventing water and moisture build-up around the foundation of the house.
Can a foundation crack be repaired from the inside?
French Drains are something that most people are unfamiliar with, but can frequently be used to repair foundation leaks from the inside, rather than excavating outside.
How do you seal a cinder block basement wall?
For the best method for sealing concrete block walls and the best cinder block water barrier, read on.
- Apply a Coating Directly On the Bare Wall. …
- Use a Breathable / Permeable Barrier. …
- Use a Weather-Resistant Elastomeric Layer. …
- Use “The Pink Stuff” …
- Repair Cracks and Fill Voids First. …
- Install an Air and Moisture Barrier.
