The white stuff you have on your basement walls officially called efflorescence is actually a deposit left behind by water. Efflorescence typically shows up better on darker concrete and occurs when the salts and other materials in the concrete make their way to the surface. Mold is a living organism that occurs in wet environments.
Is it mold or isn t ag news from ndsu.
White powder on basement walls. Instead this powder is a mineral salt thats usually recognized as efflorescence. At some point or another everyone will see white chalky or fuzzy looking growth on their concrete basement walls. Brightwall waterproof basement wall white mold vs black 3 ways to paint your basement walls is it mold or isn t ag news from efflorescene damage. Learn why improving the water drainage conditions around your homes foundation will solve the problem by reducing moisture.
The stuff is normally harmless although youre still advised to wear hand and face protection. You may have noticed it on the outside of your house walls too hopefully below the damp course that is. Both can be cleaned. This can diminish the appearance of your basement walls.
If the white powder is creating up on your concrete surfaces only then the substance is most likely not mold. While the white powder often found on basement walls and mold are caused by similar conditions they are actually different materials. In a word its called efflorescence. This builds up on concrete surfaces in basements and in crawl spaces regularly occurring as part of the process of moisture coming from the earth passing via the concrete and evaporating into your basement.
Find out whats causing the white powder on the concrete block walls in your basement. What is the white powdery substance on my basement wall nusite. How to get rid of and prevent mold growth on concrete environix. The first step in the process is drying out the wet conditions in the basement.
When people see it on their basement walls they often refer to it as the white powdery stuff white mold or white mildew. White powder mold on basement walls. The white powder is efflorescence or minerals left behind as water that has flowed through the concrete walls evaporates. Its the result of a chemical reaction that happens when acidic ground water gets inside your concrete blocks and reacts with the alkaline lime in the concrete to create a salt.
If you notice a white powdery film on your basement walls efflorescence is likely the culprit. On may 31 2020 by amik. Also learn how to improve your homes air quality with a better air filter or an electronic air cleaner.
