dry basement with serious efflorescence
bastiat
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I am just about to finish my basement, but have noticed efflorescence along the bottom 1/2 course or so of cinder block walls. I don’t just mean a little white discoloration, but powder lying on the floor next to the wall. I had a few waterproofing people come in and tell me I should get a full french drain system, but this seems like overkill since I have never had water in the basement. are my blocks in danger of disintegrating over time? Any advice?
thanks for any help you can give
Replies
Start with exterior water controls: gutters, down spouts, 10' down spout extensions, and 10' of positive grading away from tthe house.
It doesn't matter if you have had actual water on the floor, the mositure levels coming through the block are high enough that if you enclose the walls and keep that mositure from evaporating you'll be startinga mold ranch.
I've never seen efflorescence cause phyical damage, myself.
I agree with Bob, start out side. But over kill is not a bad thing in this case. You can do this your self. Rent the saw. Buy a mask and vent the room as well as possible. I make it part of all my finish basement plans.
But Like Bob's post, out side is the place to start.
would love a step-by-step on your process to install an interior basement drain. I'm getting ready to do it an want to have some direction from those who have done it in the past. What do you use for the "gutters"?
How old is the house? Never having had water in the basement is a lot more significant if the house is forty years old than if it's only four years old.
the house is 50 years old. the no water assertion is based on reports by previous owners and also neighbor who has lived in the area for about 20 years. also, this spring in nj we have had lots of rain and no seepage at all.
The efflorescence will damage both the blocks and the mortar. The face of the mortar bed crumbles and the surface of the blocks will disintegrate over time as the concentrated solution of dissolved salts near the surface attacks the cement.
You will also find that the efflorescence will form beneath any paint you apply and damage that as well.
The only cure is to drain away the water that is infiltrating the blockwork.
IanDG