What is Efflorescence?

Efflorescence occurs when moisture seeps through the concrete foundation floor or wall leaving behind crusty, white, salt deposits. As concrete cures, it shrinks. The curing of concrete basement walls can continue for six months to ten years (in extreme cases) after the home has been built. It’s common for small cracks to occur during the curing period. Those cracks could potentially let water into your home.

Even when the surfaces of your basement walls and floors look dry, it’s likely that moisture is entering the basement continually through the concrete in the form of water vapor. Other signs that there is water moisture or vapor in your basement include mold and musty smells in the basement and rust on your pipes, tools, or other metal in the space.

Efflorescence can be removed by brushing the concrete with a wire brush or low-pressure washing and then rinsing the surface. However, that won’t stop it from occurring again. The most permanent and cost-effective solution is to have s install a moisture barrier on your walls and floors. A sump pump is also very helpful to redirect water outside of the home. In some cases homeowners will benefit from installing an Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier.

You can read more about our moisture barrier products here. Read about our sump pump products here. Read more about our Energy-Efficient Dehumidifier here.

Davenport Foundation Repair services the entire state of Utah including Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake, Farmington, Granstville, Tooele, Riverton, Nephi, Delta, Richfield, Cedar City, and St. George. We also offer a 25 year warranty on our full waterproofing system. The warranty is transferable to a new homeowner if you sell your home. We are your local expert. Call us today for a free estimate!