Efflorescence – Lee, IL 60530

Being familiar with Concrete Efflorescence How It Contributes To Ugly Foundation Walls

At Permaseal, we answer client questions about concrete problems each day. One of the most frequent, and most puzzling for home owners, is exactly what they should do after they find layers of white, flaky residue on their basement wall surfaces. This particular powder is very common on concrete surfaces -- particularly in basements and crawl spaces -- and it is known as efflorescence.

What May Cause Efflorescence?

Cement is a porous material -- and it has been since the day it dried up. For this reason, it'll take moisture from the ground outdoors, gradually releasing some of this moisture into your house. This is one of the primary reasons that basements are notoriously moist, humid areas.

As this moisture moves through your cement, it brings a little percentage of minerals from the earth outdoors along with it, along with the lime in the cement itself. When it evaporates into your cellar, it simply leaves these minerals behind. With time, they create the white-colored, flaky powder that you see on your walls right now.

Washing Efflorescence from Basement Walls

There are several products currently available that are especially aimed at getting rid of unsightly stains from concrete wall surfaces and flooring. One great way to remove efflorescence is to rent a power washer from a local hardware store and to blend it with these chemicals to successfully blast efflorescence off of the cement.

For a less expensive solution, however, you may substitute these custom made chemical substances with a solution of bleach. Coupled with a power washer, pressure washer, or just by applying with a scrub brush and some hard work, you should be in the position to clean off most efflorescence challenges.

Phosphoric acid could also be used to not only remove efflorescence powder but also corrosion, grime, unsightly stains, and hard water deposits. Even so, phosphoric acid, along with other chemicals, must be used cautiously and with great attention.

Protecting Your Basement from Efflorescence

At Permaseal, we suggest protecting your concrete types of surface from efflorescence before a problem develops. Having said that, if you thoroughly clean already damaged cement, protection can be applied after.

Our suggested way to protect against efflorescence is by sealing your concrete walls with a concrete sealer. The product works deep in the pores of your cement walls and flooring to create a glass-like silicate bond in the concrete.

This barrier halts the movement of moisture through the basement walls and floor surfaces, protecting your cellar from both efflorescence and also the water vapor transmission linked to basement moisture.

Concrete treatments can be applied as a spray, roller, paint brush, or any other ways, and it cures in 2-4 hrs. It is safe for indoor use in addition to outdoor usage, and can protect your basement in many different ways.