Question About Efflorescence Block??

6stringmason

I have a friend who has a block basement and has efflourescence from floor to ceiling. Hes going to take muriatic acid to try and get rid of most of it, then wants to seal it to stop it from coming back, then paint it. The foundation is 5 years old.

He is looking at using this product:


And want to know what would be best. I dont deal with this aspect of the trade, generally new construction and some remod, so I cant help him all that much.

What do you guys think?
http://www.radonseal.com/radonseal-mitigation.htm

Any other products you could recommend?

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Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

Tscarborough

First, you have to determine what type of efflorecence there is, then determine why it is there (which is often determined by what it is), then you fix the issue, THEN you remove the efflorecence. Sealing may or may not be required, but muriatic acid is seldom if ever the proper product to remove efflorecence on masonry. Got Pics?

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It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

tom connelly

muriatic acid alone will not remove it, it may even triple your problems. we have tried lots of product lines eaco chem is my favorite they beat prosoco hands down. go to there website and call there customer care line. they will be able to get you going with great results.

hope it goes well

efflorescence is a moisture problem there may be other problems that might need to be resolved first, sealing isn't a bad idea.

PS. Sounds like you have some major water problems that will have to be fixed, hope your ready to dig. Efflorescence will not cause damage but water will.

Gutter Clean & Power Wash
Hickory NC

concretemasonry

If you do not stop the water from getting into the wall, preventing the efflorescence can be very difficult.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

michiganmason

consrete masonry is right on the money with his reply. By the way 6sting i have so many questions on your fiber optic countertop if you have a moment, which by the way it looks amazing.

6stringmason

Thanks for the replies guys.

And thanks michiganmason. Drop me a pm sometime.

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

michiganmason

i would pm u about your fiber optic countertops 6string but i am unsure how

6stringmason

You might need a certain amount of posts, like 10 or 25 or something.

MY suggestion is go to the off topic section and get your post count up quickly by playing a couple of the games down there or telling people what your favorite beer is.

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

michiganmason

thanks for the info 6string, i will try that and get back to you.

Alan Mesmer

I believe that efflorescence is the minerals left over from water that is leaching directly through the pores of the concrete block and evaporating. You have a moisture problem. Concrete block holds moisture like a sponge.
Although I suspect they are probably removing the moisture in the area with a dehumidifier they will never solve the problem as said above until they solve the water in the wall issue. From floor to ceiling is not a good sign. Usually it is in a corner or along a couple of block at the bottom or along a isolated section of a wall. I suspect that the proper waterproofing was not used on the outside, footer drains, and wall backfill materials(stone) may not be correctly installed. Backfilling with clay soils that hold water directly against the block can sometimes contribute to this type of problem.
Using a sealer can seal the inside but the water will probably be trapped in the wall and will cause larger issues as the hydraulic pressure builds. If moisture is trapped in the wall it will find its way out!

I sometimes test for water in a block wall with a cordless drill and a 1/4" masonary bit. Wait for a good rain event and Drill a small hole about 1" above the floor and see if you get any water. You can quickly seal it up with hydraulic cement if it is a gusher! (Even if you don't get any water from the drilled hole you still have a water issue in the wall.)
Also, do you see any evidence of waterproofing on the outside(parging, tar, waterproof system). Can you identify any gravity footer drain outlets or are they feeding to a sump pump?
Start with the source of the water and you will be well on your way to solving the problem.

Alan