go.askthebuilde... founder Tim Carter describes efflorescence, what causes it and how to remove it. Discover more about efflorescence at askthebuilder.com: www.askthebuild... www.askthebuild... www.askthebuild... www.askthebuild...
You should always go to my AsktheBuilder website when you have questions. I have many columns about this topic there. Use my search engine. SPELL EFFLORESCENCE correctly to find them. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter while you're there. FREE tips each week.
That's exactly what I thought that was! The issue is when people panic! Great video, you are correct, better to broom off then rinse so you can get rid of the bit of salt that came to the surface 😀
Thanks! You might want to do two things: 1. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com 2. Start watching my LIVE streaming videos! Lots of fun and you get to ask me questions in real time. Be sure to turn on NOTIFICATIONS about when I go LIVE.
I have been dealing with soil moisture seepage through a foundation of a 1943 home, for a couple of months now. I am so glad that I did not get out the bucket and brushes and add more moisture. I am running a fan and a dehumidifier 24 hours and the moisture collection is lessening. Thank you for this video.
Thanks! You might want to do two things: 1. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com 2. Start watching my LIVE streaming videos! Lots of fun and you get to ask me questions in real time. Be sure to turn on NOTIFICATIONS about when I go LIVE.
Thank god for people like you that take their time and educate others in this fashion. You literally just calmed me down from a panic attack. My basement flooded last week and I am just now starting to see this white substance on my cement floor and cement walls. Instantly thought it was a form of mold that was white in color. After watching your video, I can safely say it is not mold and efflorescence instead. Thank you good sir
Michael, you're most welcome. You can repay the favor by doing two simple things: Subscribe to my FREE AsktheBuilder.com newsletter - just go to my website, and pass the word about my website to all you know. That traffic is what provides the needed revenue to make all these videos.
Thanks for the explanation. I have lived in Florida for 6 years and have concrete driveway which is painted grey. There is a low spot about 1 sq. ft. where the paint has failed, so it is bare concrete and water puddles there. Just a few months ago, these white growths started appearing for the first time, and I could swear that it was a living organism of sorts getting started. It behaves like you described. I've tried all kinds of mold/mildew removers which work for a day or two, then it is back with a vengeance....relieved to know that it probably not alive and is harmless.
Thanks! I've typed this advice hundreds of times here on RU-vid in the comments. Whenever you watch a video of mine and have questions, it's always a good idea to wander off to my AsktheBuilder website - the dot com one. Why? Because invariably I've written MANY columns about the topic. This is true for efflorescence. Go read what I've written and you'll discover your answers! Be SURE to subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter while you're there to get even more tips!
Tim, got small area of efflorescence on the interior fireplace brick face below mantel. Checked pointing on the chimney outside up to the crown. Some gaps between the bricks and hairline cracks in the crown. Would that be the source?
My parents house, built 17 years ago, all concrete. It has that stuff growing like crazy on certain sides of the house, usually under the Windows and close to the ground. Thanks for clearing it up.
thank you! The salt water that drips from our wetsuits must be causing this to grow in the cracks in our garage floor. i thought it was mold, but i am so glad i found your video.
Thanks! You might want to do two things: 1. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com 2. Start watching my LIVE streaming videos! Lots of fun and you get to ask me questions in real time. Be sure to turn on NOTIFICATIONS about when I go LIVE.
After mopping the surface a billion times Ive finally realised that sweeping is a much better solution though I did find that the salt damaged the top of the concrete if left for too long. Have applied densi crete and will see how that goes. Thanks for the advice.
You're welcome. If you're serious about the thanks, click that *THANKS* text link under the video and maybe buy me two beers or two dips of mocha-chip ice cream.
At first when I saw efflorescence on my garage floor, I thought it was salt. So I brushed it away. But it kept coming back and I found it to grow to half inch easily, I became convinced it was fungus! Glad to know I can put it on my food safely. Thanks
Thank you I painted my concrete floor in a commercial space for a salon I am in the process of opening. I went back the next day and the efflorescence was in several places. I didn’t know what it was or what to do. I wiped it off with a wet mop, smh but now I know to just sweep it away. Thank you for your video.
Efflorescence comes from the pressure of water against a surface. That pressure slowly pushes water through the concrete collecting salts as it passes through. Once at the surface, the water evaporates and leaves the salts behind.
That's pretty much what I said in the video but you're not entirely correct. The salts can be harvested from the soil behind a retaining wall or under a slab. The salts can come from salt water that DROPS onto a slab and is not *forced through by pressure* as you say. Be careful about spreading half-truths on social media.
Efflorescence is common down here in the southwest part of the U.S....... you will see these salt deposits forming on stucco homes which is the most common type of home here in New Mexico.... especially homes that are built very close to the street where rain water gets splashed onto the exterior walls. Thanks for the Tips Tim!
Thank you very much for this I have it right against my patio cement and my stucco wall in my small patio and someone told me it was mold and I was going to pour bleach on it but now that you told me this I'll just go sweep it thank you so much for the information
I have this stuff forming at the top edge of a stainless steel entrance gate that is under a 5 yr old new concrete layer laid on a porch for granite tiles. The efflorescence is thick and hard as stone. Do you have any suggestions for removing without damaging or staining the stainless steel?
Careful scraping so you only touch the mineral deposit and not the SS. Then you can try white vinegar. I'm happy to give detailed how-to instructions via a phone call: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
100yo house without any foundation sealing/barriors, what’s the best approach? I’ve tried drylok on the inside but a year or two it’s forming behind it.
Tim thank you for another great video. I have this issue in my basement along the block walls. The Efflorescence has actually caused paint that was over the basement walls to pucker and crumble in several areas. Any tips for this type of issue? Thanks again.
Thank you for this info. It completes the picture for me. I just had a plumbing situation and this white fuzzy stuff started forming on the floor after removing the damaged carpet. Your info gives me some peace of mind. Thanks again.
Thanks, Tim! We just spent thousands pavers for the patio/pool deck. Looked great for the first 2-3 weeks and then the haze came. I asked about it, assuming it was concrete dust from the pool remodel but all this finger pointing started happening. Everybody is trying to figure it out and fix my issue (or make me go away - lol). Your explanation makes perfect sense. So thank you! One question though...we have this beautiful new pool and paver patio and I’d hate to have to wait a year to naturally make this go away. Should we endure the cloudy look? Or best the wait a year then clean and seal? I’m finding efflorescence cleaners online, but questioning if we should do that and seal now - or wait it out. Let me know your thoughts, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!
Tim thanks for explaining. I now understand that its my neighbors side of my cinder block retaining wall that’s causing a moisture problem on my side every few years. I keep painting it and it just chips away in chunks a year later. If I can’t fix my neighbors side wall can I put stone or something on the wall that will adhere and hide it better. I bet you’re gonna say...plant bushes
the moisture by cracks are likely moisture migration through the crack from ground moisture . just like you mentioned water proofing a wall... new slabs should have vapor barrier plastic underneath. i put it under 4" of gravel when possible so rebar dont ruin it and the blead water has a temporary place to sit as concrete cures and hardens. saves headaches when coating concrete and preventing efflorescence issues.
Cant figure out If I have white mold or efflorescence. Its coming through the stone hearth below my chimney, Where the laminate floor butts up against the stone. There is more inside the firelace area (Chimey is unused and IS damp with possible leakage) I really want it to be efflorescence and NOT effin' mold !!!! How do I tell the diff ? Help
so we don't have snow here so its not road salt, but for us, its been raining non stop in Southern California for the first time in decades and now we have tons of white powder all over.
The salts are in your soils. My college degree is in geology. Once the slabs dry out, you'll just brush it away. Please click the *Thanks* text link under the video to support my efforts.
Simple. Go to my www.AsktheBuilder.com website and READ all my past columns about efflorescence. Or, if you want to talk to me directly over the phone to save lots of time, you have this option: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
I have this problem on the walkway up to my front door. When it rains, people track it into the house. I’ve been told putting a sealer on it will cause even more problems. Could I just put sealer in the area that people usually walk?
You'd be wise to get on a phone call with me before you make a grave mistake. There's far too much to type: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
Thanks so much for this video Tim. I live in the Caribbean and saw the paint puff up and flake off. I then scraped off the paint, exposing the concrete wall in the room...a few days later, there was a white fuzz🤷🏾♀️🤯. I tried bleach and vinegar and nothing moved it... Thanks for letting me know to just brush it off. I was losing my mind over this. Thought that it was harmful to us.
Thank you. I have a small area where the salts come through into the plasterboard and plaster. The source of the water was from a broken neighbours down pipe cutter splashing water all over the wall.
My block wall wall next to the basement steps has lots of white crystaline Efflorescence. And it looks like the block is breaking down, as the crumbled grey material falls to the floor. Now that wall is on one side of the garage but no one has parked in that side of the garage for decades, and the garage floor is only rarely wet. The efflorescence is confined to a "patch" about 3' wide x 2' tall, about 3' above the basement wall. I hzve no idea where the water is coming from, in fact it is the other walls that leak water because the yard slopes down towards the house. But no such drainage issue where the affected wall is. There are no water pipes either. I'm wondering if I should drill some holes to let the water out.
Brand new pavers, right off the pallet, all of them have efflorescence. The date of the pallet is from 2021 so they sat in the stone yard for a year. You are saying don't use water to clean. The stone yard told me to use water to clean. I am bummed, because from the get go, the brownish pavers are all coated with white. How can I remove this white residue without using harsh chemicals?
Please rewatch the video. Please go to my www.AsktheBuilder.com website and READ all my past columns on this topic. It's all about patience. I also offer phone coaching before you make a GRAVE mistake. shop.askthebuilder.com/consult-tim/
TNX for the kind words. I feel I had my day in the sun. Now there are thousands more home improvement channels and it's easy for me to get lost in all that noise. It's always great to hear from folks across the pond. I appreciate you reaching out.
Very helpful. I would paint my wall up down from top to the bottom just to squeeze the water that contain of salt to stream down and dissolved just before another strokes and as oil would always goes upon the water maybe some types of oily paint would work
Thanks so much! You were very helpful. I have some of this on concrete in my basement, which has never ever flooded, not even a drop of water. Is it possible that it came from humidity or from the soil behind the wall?
READ all my columns about this on my website for the answer. Watch my NEW live stream videos! Subscribe to get my FREE newsletter here: www.AsktheBuilder.com
Yes you explained what it is however it is not harmless, it destroys any surface that has long-term exposure to the salt crystals. We deal with it in Arizona all the time and masonry degradation is increased even more if the surface is sealed because it traps the salt.
Not only am I a builder, I'm a geologist. Salt will not harm rock. If it's hurting masonry or tile out there, it must be very low quality material. You've got a RU-vid channel. Please shoot a video of the materials you see being harmed by the efflorescence deposits. Upload it to your channel. Come back here and then paste the URL to your video in your next reply so we can see what you're talking about.
My house was built in 1860 the inside of my mud room is brick and it is deteriorating I don’t want to use a chemical in there. The previous owners must have just painted over it because it is now coming out in big chunks along with the paint . I have high bubbles of the white power everywhere. How can I blend this safety and repaint this? Please Help Me
Lisa, I'm happy to help you. I help hundreds of RU-vidrs each year with complex issues like this. We jump on a phone call. Click or tap the following URL and read what you see there, especially what's highlighted in yellow: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
We just put in an inground pool and payed tens of thousands for beautiful stamped and stained concrete around it. They built a hot tub alongside the pool that is covered with beautiful stone. When it rains, water runs down the stone and drains off of the concrete. I believe the salt or lime is coming off of those stones and rinsing down the concrete in 2 water trails, leaving efflorescence stains. It does not brush away. In fact, the only thing that removed it was a lime cleaner but it's acidic on the concrete and is starting to wear off my concrete color and sealant. Again, it's not my concrete that is producing efflorescence but the trail of water from the stacked stones (hot tub surround) draining off onto the concrete. Any ideas? I feel that it's too late to seal the stacked and mortared stones.
Hi Tim, I’m getting this salt where my garage door comes down to the concrete, house is 4 years old and has just started to do this, my concern is my cat continues to lick it, would this be harmful?
Rinse with clear water to see if it goes away. If the white comes back after the mortar dries, you've just got efflorescence going on. Read this to understand HOW to get rid of it: www.askthebuilder.com/efflorescence-removal/
I’m on day 3 of my declared war with what I thought was mold but it truly is just efflorescence… I should’ve looked it up before I bought every cleaning supply out there… thank you for easing my mind on how to manage it!
Karly, glad I could help. For the future, it's ALWAYS a good idea to do two things before you react: 1. Visit my www.AsktheBuilder.com website and use the search engine to see what I have about the topic 2. Tune into my LIVE stream each M-F at 4 PM Eastern time and ASK ME LIVE about whatever problem you have.
thank you so much' actually i have tried the internal water proofing step but didn't last very long, the salt came back after few years, trouble though the wall that has salt on it is a firewall next to my neighbor's house. so i guess i'll just brush it off for now and hope it will go away in time. thanks for the tip and hope to learn more from you in the future. God bless.
Be sure you subscribe to my FREE newsletter right here front and center: www.AsktheBuilder.com - Also, I now LIVE stream each M-F at 4 PM Eastern time at ru-vid.com
Thanks for the info. I have it on the inside of my garage wall nice to know I can just brush it off. I think I'll have to either re roughcast or seal the other side if the wall. I think that due a subscription Cheers.
My basement never had efflorescence until I had an interior french drain installed in my basement. The water that the system allows to come in to the drains is causing efflorescence in a few areas. Can this be stopped? Can I coat something over it? I want to maybe tile my basement floor.....thanks!
I came here to ask a similar question. What did you end up doing? I want to paint my basement slab floor. Had an interior french drain installed a month ago and where the new concrete from that meets the slab, efflorescence appeared. Do i just brush it away and paint over it with like a Drylok basement floor paint or should I apply some kind of sealant atop the seam where the two concretes meet first and then paint?
Hi could crystal like stuff with glitter pieces that catch on to things be on a leaf or piece of wood that’s indoors and it’s the only little item it’s on
Yes. I did this test with my fellow NH wizards just before we cast a protective spell on person, and their underwater allies, that required our protection.
I go thru this every spring here in IL, salt brought into garage during the winter, I mop over and over and eventually it goes away, it doesn't seem like there's enough to brush, just a light haze of white salt that's been absorbed by the concrete........wish there was a easier way???
I doubt you need a new floor. Situations like this are why I created my phone consult calls. Far far less expensive than putting in a new floor!!! shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
I have that stuff coming through due to water outside. If I deal the inside will that stop it ? I mean obviously outside is a big issue but we’re talking about a rented space and I just need to keep it out. No I’m not a crappy landlord . I’m just a guy trying to help a friend.
Thanks Tim! If a basement has a lot of efflorescence up and down all the walls would u think that foundation needs some attention on the outside of the house like digging down and putting a better barrier to keep the moisture out?
can this chemical be taken out of the cement mixture so you do have this issue? I dont see the reason for this chemical if it causes these issues. Please clarify if you can thank you
David, I have all the clarification, and more, you need in all my efflorescence articles at www.AsktheBuilder.com Go there and be amazed. Sign up for my free newsletter while you're at it.
Becky, you have several choices. You can spend hours on my www.AsktheBuilder.com reading all my concrete-repair columns. Or, I can tell you over the phone what to do in less than 15 minutes. There are several phone options here: shop.askthebuilder.com/consult-tim/
Simple. The What-To-Do steps are all in my efflorescence columns on my www.AsktheBuilder.com website. Go there, read them and sign up for my newsletter.
Thanks for the informative video. I find the efflorescence, as you showed, where cracks are in my garage floors. I tried sealing the cracks with concrete caulk sealer & I then used a concrete waterproof sealer on the whole floor, but the efflorescence came back. Since some cracks are fine, do you think it would help if I got a grinding tool to open the cracks to where I can properly fill them all? Would it help to reseal the floor with sealer? I feel the floor needs it because it would lessen the deterioration of the floor from winter salt deposits from my car.
hi very helpfull thanks, i am buying a house and found effloresensce in basement posts, so is this something in need to be concerned about ? do i need to be worried about structural damage etc ? thx will the salt ever come out entirele from masonry and damage the masonry ? thx
Thanks! You might want to do two things: 1. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com 2. Start watching my LIVE streaming videos! Lots of fun and you get to ask me questions in real time. Be sure to turn on NOTIFICATIONS about when I go LIVE.
I have a rock collection at home, and I keep seeing efflorescence on the rocks and I wipe it off and clean the rocks but it keeps coming back anyway is there anything I can do about it?
Very nice explanation. After brick masonry work when efflorecence happens should I keep the brick walls unplastered to come out the salts or plastering should be done immediately?
I share *HOW* to get rid of lime buildup on my www.AsktheBuilder.com website. Type: *efflorescence* into the search engine there and *READ* all of my past columns.
Can these salt things form between window panes? I have a window with dried white stuff all over the inside of the panes. It has never changed appearance in 5 years. I didn't think it was mold because I always thought mold was black and mold grows. This has stayed the exact same way in five years. Could this be what you are describing? Thanks much
Hi Tim, my wife and I just purchased a newly built home near wet lands, unfortunately the garage is full of this powder like substance that leaves footprints everywhere. Theirs also a mildew smell only in the garage. Does the efflorescence accompanied with smell make it worse?
You have two different problems going on. Far too much to type and I've got questions. It requires one of my consult calls to unravel the issues. Go here: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/
In the basement of my house the walls are 7 feet high the bottom two thirds are concrete and the top third is made of brick and mortar. There is a section of the brick in the corner of the wall that it is popping out and breaking apart. In this damaged area I find the efflorescence white material in the form of powder or crystals and there is no visible water, moisture or humidity on the wall, it looks totally dry. Also on the outside of the wall is the porch so there is no source of water and humidity coming from the outside. Could someone tell me why the bricks are popping out and breaking? . Also how to fix / prevent it, please
Lorenzo, I deal with complex situations like this via my phone consults. The call is FREE if you feel it's of no value. shop.askthebuilder.com/products/15-Minute-Phone-Conversation-with-Tim.html
Does the formation of efflorescence means that the water/ moisture presence in a "plumbing leak affected wall" has dried up now? If so, how early that wall can be re-painted? PS: Plumbing leak issue has already been fixed.
You say it doesn’t hurt the stone. But there are big divets in my stone.. The house 25 years old and it still keep coming up.According to you the salt should exhaust itself from coming up. I wonder when?
The divets could have been caused by ravens pecking at the stone. Or, there could have been arrows shot at the wall. If you want FREE unlimited tips like this each week, subscribe to my newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
Thanks. I have efflorescence coming through my block foundation that has been stuccoed...any advice on how to remove the unsightly lines from the stucco?
I got a mold problem on the inside of my outside wall iv had to keep my window open to stop it but it's slowly coming back as it's cold and my window is closed but now I have that Wight stuff on my wall as well as yellew and black mold iv had people out and thay filled my walls with blue balls that look like stirofome how do I stop all this altogether
You start by leading a more pure and simple life. Then you go to my website and READ ALL of the columns I have about MOLD. For unlimited free tips each week subscribe to my FREE newsletter at www.AsktheBuilder.com
yeah well many basement walls have efflorescence (and some mold sometimes) due to what is open-cracked on the exterior such as what you see in this short video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Tq_o7C6KMUA.html exterior waterproofing done & backfilled correctly is the ONLY fix
Hi, I have fiber cement siding and this efflorescence is building up on them. When I wipe over with a dry cloth it knocks some of it off but does not clean it completely leaving a noticeable white marks on my brown home. Any advice for cleaning? CLR was suggested to me but I am a bit worried about using that.
+Choose2Rejuv Please visit my www.AsktheBuilder.com website. Read all of my past columns about how to clean it off. If you need personalized service, I offer that over the phone.
Eric, I'm happy to assist. I do at least two of these per day to HELP folks like you. My most recent one a few hours ago was with a man in the Virgin Islands that needed help with a water heater vent: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/