Efflorescence
Efflorescence in your basement indicates excess moisture, which can lead to more serious concerns. Here's what you can do.
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Have you noticed a white, chalky powder on your basement walls and floors? This substance, efflorescence, is a warning sign of moisture problems in your home. Excess moisture will damage your belongings and compromise your foundation, so it’s best to fix this issue quickly.
Groundworks can help. Our dehumidifiers, sump pumps, and other basement waterproofing methods eliminate moisture intrusion and all the problems that come with it, including mold, pests, condensation, and wet walls. Learn more below.
Does your have signs of Efflorescence?
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What Is Efflorescence?
Efflorescence is a white powdery substance that appears on concrete surfaces like your basement walls and floors. It occurs when water penetrates concrete and reacts with naturally occurring salts. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind salt deposits.
Efflorescence looks unsightly, but you can clean it off surfaces with water, white vinegar, and a strong brush. However, you’ll still need to address its root cause—excess moisture.
Here are some other red flags that indicate you have basement moisture problems in your Alberta home:
- Damp walls
- Water accumulation
- Window leaks
- High humidity
- A musty smell
If ignored, excess moisture will damage your home’s foundation. So, consider contacting a local basement waterproofing specialist like Groundworks as soon as possible.
Causes of Efflorescence
The reason for efflorescence in your basement is moisture intrusion, which can happen for the following reasons:
- Cracked floors or walls
- Inadequate construction
- Failing waterproofing systems
- Capillary action in porous concrete walls
- Elevated groundwater levels
- Flooding or water accumulation due to rain or melting snow
- Failing gutters and downspouts
- Leaky plumbing or home appliances
- Indoor condensation and high humidity
Can You Fix Efflorescence?
The good news is that you can brush efflorescence off walls and floors pretty easily. However, you need to deal with the moisture that caused this problem in the first place. Otherwise, efflorescence will just come back again.
Basement waterproofing stops moisture intrusion for good. This process involves drying out your basement, sealing gaps and cracks, and preventing water from entering your home.
Basement Waterproofing Solutions
How We Fix Efflorescence in Your Basement
We’ll follow these steps when tackling moisture intrusion in your home:
- Inspecting your basement
- Sealing cracks or leaks in your foundation walls and flooring
- Installing our interior drainage and sump pump systems for effective water management
- Applying our specialized vapor barrier to counteract moisture
- Regulating moisture levels with our industrial-grade dehumidifiers
- Monitoring your basement with annual maintenance checks
All our custom basement waterproofing solutions come with long-term warranties for long-lasting protection.
Why Fix Efflorescence Now?
Ignoring efflorescence is dangerous for the following reasons:
- It signifies ongoing water damage
- Excess moisture could destroy your foundation
- Salt crystallization during efflorescence can further weaken your building materials
- Damp conditions promote mold growth and affect indoor air quality
- Delaying action will lead to expensive structural repairs in the future
Contact Groundworks for an Efflorescence Solution You Can Trust
A little white powder on your basement walls and floors might not seem like the end of the world. However, this issue is a warning sign of something far more serious in your Alberta home—too much moisture. Groundworks’ dehumidifiers, sump pumps, and other basement waterproofing solutions tackle moisture intrusion, resulting in a drier and safer living environment.
Schedule your free, no-obligation inspection and estimate now.
Efflorescence FAQs
Paint won’t stick to walls properly unless you remove efflorescence first. You’ll also need to address the moisture problem that caused efflorescence. Otherwise, it could come back again.
Apart from efflorescence, you might notice humidity, damp walls, and water accumulation in your basement. Contact basement waterproofing specialists like Groundworks if you experience any of these issues.
Flooding, failing gutters, wall and floor cracks, and other factors leads to a wet basement. Groundworks will identify the cause of moisture intrusion in your home during our free inspection.
Do you see any of these signs? Book an appointment now!
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