Efflorescence Tips and Tricks

go.askthebuilder.com/Newslette... founder Tim Carter describes efflorescence, what causes it and how to remove it.
Discover more about efflorescence at askthebuilder.com:
www.askthebuilder.com/efflores...
www.askthebuilder.com/efflores...
www.askthebuilder.com/efflores...
www.askthebuilder.com/dealing-...

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@windtwist]

Thanks

[@JatinderSingh-yk4bh]

Hi

[@theunsolicited2cents893]

what is the asphalt solution called

[@sunshyneshonnisugar7864]

thank you so much! You just saved me thousands of dollars and a lot of heart ache worrying about white mold.

[@californiatilerestoration4827]

I have been explaining to people for 25 years about efflorescence. That was really well worded so that people get it. Great video Thank you.

[@nathanmciver6496]

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 😀

[@askthebuilder]

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[@sandy469]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@cassimoor07]

Soooo helpful and easy to follow, thank you!

[@diversitycandle5708]

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

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@patriciatanyongana4885]

Thank you so much for this explanation.

[@leilashalhoub7040]

Thank you for this info. Found some on my concrete wall just today. It’s been raining a LOT lately, very humid either way since I live in the tropics.

[@askthebuilder]

Glad I could help! Just brush it away.

[@tyronnfields7945]

Just noticed this in my crawl space on a newly constructed home. Great video home inspection pointed it out. U just explained what it was thanks.

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[@tubalcain1]

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!

[@mrcreative6020]

Thanks Tim great tip exactly what I needed for the efflorescence on my chimney wall

[@askthebuilder]

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[@denniscaldwell8567]

Great job, Tim! Thanks!

[@askthebuilder]

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[@joepacheco7979]

I have been educated! Thanks for explaining it very well.

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[@bluedevil7488]

Thnku sir... such a knowledgable tips u had given ,from india

[@bekahblay]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@junereed8547]

Thanks Tim. I was nervous about my basement wall and was going to wash it. Now I will brush it off and vacuum. Good video!

[@askthebuilder]

Glad I could help

[@fisherman889]

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.

[@crazy_desi]

yess, I also thought it was a fungus like creature but 'salt' is the correct term and I am relieved to hear that

[@deadsypadilla]

Kill it with phosphoric acid. 7 to 1 water 7 to 1 phosphoric acid.

[@patribtr]

Thank you that gave me peace of mind.

[@askthebuilder]

YW as we say in Morse.

[@toofypeg7931]

Thanks so much for the info! You sir are a legend! Much love from the U.K. 👍🏻

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@mariaelenadeang2006]

Very helpful i am experiencing this, very good info, good job

[@askthebuilder]

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[@arielmason8375]

Thank you for sharing this great information!

[@askthebuilder]

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[@hellomyg8182]

Great work very informative had this issue with my basement legend keep up the good work

[@askthebuilder]

You might want to read up on efflorescence on my www.AsktheBuilder.com website.

[@raynelle152]

thank you so much ...i have been spraying this thing with bleach and water , wondering why its getting worst ...you have been such a big help

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[@dadrocha7741]

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.

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[@mattirzzmattimuss]

Very informative information, thanks...

[@askthebuilder]

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[@benniebella]

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

[@askthebuilder]

You're welcome. Be sure to start watching my LIVE streams each week.

[@nicholasolsen8198]

Great job Tim! ill be watching you for all my tool tips now. :D

[@askthebuilder]

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[@CF-Gaming01]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@Mafr0]

Great tips, thank you!

[@askthebuilder]

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[@SuperFitRoy]

That was very helpful, thank you 🙏🏽

[@askthebuilder]

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[@lindagoins7728]

Thank you for that information it was very helpful.

[@askthebuilder]

Glad it was helpful!

[@trudieleask5837]

Thank you. Great explanation

[@askthebuilder]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BR.]

Thank you sir for explaining this!

[@askthebuilder]

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[@daisydaisy1696]

You’re amazing. I wish I could show you my Situation with a internal brick wall I live in.

[@askthebuilder]

You can show me and we can talk about it: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/

[@trisarnold]

Bless you, and thank you!

[@zappy7393]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@thegrowingfamily8571]

Thank you! Our basement just had this issue.

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[@mandaleemason6602]

Very helpful! Thank you!

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[@whirlwindjml]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@susanclarkva]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

YW YL as we say in Morse.

[@kerk46]

This was helpful. Thanks.

[@askthebuilder]

You're welcome!

[@kubi9040]

Thanks Tim

[@hanzokendo]

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.

[@borys444]

Waterproof it.

[@teranaaa]

Thanks!

[@dsslimone]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@karlymckenna927]

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!

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@freetobe3]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@butaflioctober1699]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@jasonmurillo7615]

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!

[@askthebuilder]

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[@penelopehammerton2907]

Thanks that's great information 😊

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[@MostGeoffinitely]

What should I do if the efflorescence is underneath the carpeting in rooms in my house? We're starting to notice lumps of it in other rooms underneath the carpeting. In one of the rooms we've taken up the carpeting and swept it away, but it always comes back within a month especially after a Houston downpour.

[@leliteros]

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

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[@martynoelpowers]

that helped a lot. Thank you

[@askthebuilder]

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[@s2kseth]

Wow..!! you helped me out big time. Some of my indoor brick wall get them and i just vacuum it away. Thought it was mould 😅

[@askthebuilder]

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[@amrak-8401]

Thank you awesome advice!👍

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[@lauriejohns7402]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

Nancy, a sealer might help. Here's one that has everything in it that I'd look for if I was buying a concrete sealer: amzn.to/2jR8WWP

[@paul29961]

Thanks very much that’s helpful.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@CactusBaby]

Thank you! This has puzzled us for many years in the past. Now we know what it is!

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[@carlosarce2998]

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.

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[@daryl4083]

Great video, what is the best way to seal the concrete surface so this doesnt continue?

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[@lyndsayrodwell3026]

Thank you so much for this video, this has been so helpful, I was panicking that I had mould 🙂

[@askthebuilder]

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[@ejh7765]

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

[@paulos9304]

Get the wall rendered. What ever colour you like. No more painting no more damp as the base coat will stop it coming through the top coat

[@askthebuilder]

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[@Javii96]

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

[@askthebuilder]

You're welcome. You can reciprocate by clicking the *THANKS* text link under the video. Don't you feel that's a good idea?

[@Oliva-sd2zj]

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?

[@askthebuilder]

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[@thequeryqueen]

Thankyou for this information. Before seeing this I thought it was some kind of mold on my tiles.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@thequeryqueen]

@@askthebuilder sure 👍🏼

[@cindyw8129]

What do I need to do to prep a stone foundation to paint? We do currently have efflorescence. Does the wall need to be repointed?

[@heatherrubin7440]

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?

[@askthebuilder]

Yes, that's the solution. Please READ all of the efflorescence columns at my www.AsktheBuilder.com website. Sign up for my newsletter once there.

[@MLM111]

Excellent!

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[@MrJohnnyb42]

Good. Thanks. Though it was mold.

[@beautifulmicia]

Thanks, I actually learned something new.

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[@alwaysbelieve45]

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?

[@miketurbow1019]

It is seeping into the concrete from the underlying soil

[@askthebuilder]

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[@jbd312]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

Dear JB. I know exactly what to do. It requires a short conversation. shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/

[@DrSamanthaP]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@TinyRip]

Thank you

[@askthebuilder]

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[@kcollinsgallhollcom]

Very helpful

[@askthebuilder]

GUD as we say in Morse. Get unlimited tips each week in my FREE newsletter. Subscribe at www.AsktheBuilder.com

[@askthebuilder]

Thanks! I've typed this advice hundreds of times here on KZbin 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!

[@thomaskalinoski6121]

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?

[@gm1937]

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?

[@askthebuilder]

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/

[@michellerichard102]

thanks

[@ryanf8019]

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!

[@y002033]

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?

[@uptalk144]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@centurycustomhomestexas]

I wonder if you can drill a half inch hole in the slab and fill the void below with a sealer to prevent it from reaching the cracks

[@askthebuilder]

I'm sorry to say your plan is fraught with all sorts of poor assumptions about what will happen.

[@CY-ZG]

thank you

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[@Combatmonkey43]

I had some weed and feed get wet and this started showing up. Been going on a few weeks, glad to know I just need to wait it out per se.

[@askthebuilder]

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[@jayrow7731]

Thanks I noticed this at work thought it was mold

[@askthebuilder]

You’re welcome 😊

[@debbieeustice9399]

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?

[@askthebuilder]

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/

[@seancripps4897]

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

[@askthebuilder]

Easy. I can call you on the phone. Watch my NEW live stream videos! Subscribe to get my FREE newsletter here: www.AsktheBuilder.com

[@rogerdellerba5908]

just good to know that it's harmless and does no damage . Thanks for the advice.

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[@cocoduck7745]

Yeah but what can I do when this happens on my house walls which is neverending and it destroys paint, it's a pain in the ass

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[@juliemcguire6795]

Great!

[@mohithmanoharan2531]

Tim, what about when we build a home newly and want to avoid at the start itself?

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@snackymcgoo1539]

I "feel" like where I have efflorescence that over time those areas of the concrete flake up or chip up, and now i have craters. Maybe that is from hammering or something years ago. But it continues to grow the area where there is a crater.

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[@lisab6808]

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

[@askthebuilder]

Lisa, I'm happy to help you. I help hundreds of KZbinrs 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/

[@aishai6315]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

+Aish ai Wait a minimum of 30 days.

[@sarah.6311]

Please Please Please, any and all help would be very helpful. So I have an old home and the walls were re pointed and look amazing. But.... the actual rocks are "malting". What can I use to preserve these rocks and eliminate the dust, without taking froom the beautiful look of the stone walls? This is my basement which is utilized as a beautiful room... Please help!!

[@askthebuilder]

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.

[@AndrewIrizarry]

So what do you do if your wall is flaking? The front was repaired and French drain added. Do I keep brushing it away and eventually reseal it?

[@askthebuilder]

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/

[@spqba747]

would you please be able to write how to get rid of cement milk stains on architecural concrete walls?

[@askthebuilder]

Hah! I've alreayd fulfilled your request: www.askthebuilder.com/efflorescence-removal/

[@PanamaSticks]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

I help folks like you solve these conundrums: shop.askthebuilder.com/15-minute-phone-or-video-conversation-with-tim/

[@glennlayne]

Our garage floor constantly seeps this stuff and where we live is quite dry. I assume that means that there’s water seeps under there.

[@askthebuilder]

go to my website www.AsktheBuilder.com - and read ALL about it.

[@TycoTyrannus]

So what do we do when our hotel has a pool with a rustic look? We have an old world style finish and stain. The efflorescence never turns into salt we can sweep. Its always a wet deck and is in the concrete. This stuff never seems to go away. And we have no retaining walls. Just the earth under the pool and deck.

[@askthebuilder]

Watch my NEW live stream videos! Subscribe to get my FREE newsletter here: www.AsktheBuilder.com

[@njwags95]

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.

[@askthebuilder]

The best approach is to visit my www.AsktheBuilder.com website and read ALL of my past columns on this topic.