What does discoloration in basement mean?

3. Dark stains. Dark black or grayish stains on the wall are a sign of mold. Mold thrives in the presence of high humidity, warmth, and organic matter, on which it feeds. It's always warm enough in your home for mold to grow, even in the cold basement, and household dust carries enough organic matter to feed it.

Why is my basement wall turning yellow?

A The yellowish stains leaching through the coats of Drylok and primer on your walls are an indication that water in either liquid or vapor form still is entering your basement. So you have two problems: One is the water infiltration; the other has to do with eliminating the staining on the walls.

Is efflorescence on basement floor a problem?

Efflorescence in your basement can be a real problem. It's not toxic all by itself, so you don't have to worry about health risks of efflorescence on your basement walls. However, it can herald problems in the future.

What does water damage in a basement look like?

Some of the obvious signs of water damage to basement drywall and carpet are yellowish-brown stains, mold stains, and dampness. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell if there's water damage below the surface.

Does efflorescence mean the basement leaks?

Efflorescence is actually a harmless crystallized mineral salt that has formed on your basement walls over time. It will generally look like a white, powdery substance. It's also commonly found on floors. In cases where moisture bubbles up from your basement floor, it may even resemble a white "foam" on your floors.

Interior Parging/ Drylok Paint/ Cove Base

Will a dehumidifier help with efflorescence?

The truth is that a dehumidifier does nothing to counter or reverse the effects of efflorescence on your crawl space walls. This device will only help you dry out the crawl space air so moisture won't build up and cause condensation, mold growth, rust, and other problems.

Should I be worried about efflorescence?

Ultimately, efflorescence itself isn't dangerous. However, it can lead to potential moisture problems that can cause structural damage to building materials. That means if you find efflorescence in the basement or on concrete and other structures, it's important to take action.

How do I know if my basement wall is leaking?

If you are noticing moisture in your basement, there's a good sign that it is leaking. Most moisture will come from cracks where your basement wall meets the floor (the cove area). If you notice any moisture coming from cracks in basement walls or floors, your basement has a leak.

What does mildew look like on basement walls?

They come in many different colors, other than just black; mold can also be green, white, brown, or yellow. A good identifier of basement mold or mold in your home is a yellow or pink stain on wallpaper or drywall or wood. That often means there is mold growing in that area.

How do I know if my foundation is leaking?

What does efflorescence look like?

Efflorescence is a crystalline deposit of salts often seen on brick, concrete, paving stones, stucco, or other building surfaces. It occurs when water leaves behind salt deposits on or in the masonry surface. It has a white or grey tint and can also appear as a powdery substance on floors or walls.

What does mold look like on basement floor?

Mold might look like black spots or areas that have turned green. Some mold is white, but can be confused with efflorescence, which is a salty film on the concrete. If the white substance dissolves easily with water it is likely the latter.

How can you tell the difference between white mold and efflorescence?

Can yellow mold make you sick?

As with all mold, various strains of yellow mold can be hazardous to your health. You or your family may experience allergic reactions, illness or you may even be poisoned by toxins created by certain types of mold.

What is efflorescence basement?

What is Efflorescence? Efflorescence is a white or gray-colored streak or formation that can either be powdery or crystalline in texture. This is often the result of any leaking water interacting with the salt deposits on the surface of your basement walls or floor.

Can mold in basement affect upstairs?

Does Basement Mold Affect Upstairs? Yes, mold spores growing in the basement can affect the health of people living upstairs. Once mold starts growing it can quickly spread to nearby areas and eventually start to grow in the basement ceiling and into the rest of the home.

How do you know if basement has mold?

How can you tell if you have mold behind drywall?

Visible Signs of Mold

Mold can have different colors and textures, so be sure to recognize them. Mold can be black, green, gray, white, or brown. Mold can even appear orange, pink or purple when it grows behind vinyl wallpaper. Another sign of visible mold is discoloration of walls, even if it has been painted over.

Should I worry about mold in basement?

The first thing you need to check for after a flooded basement is mold and fungus growth. Not only can mold cause serious health issues for you and your entire family, but if you let it get out of control and invade your home it can be incredibly difficult to get rid of.

How do I find out where my basement is leaking from?

The most common source of water in a poured concrete basement is a non-structural wall crack so the first thing a homeowner should do is look for a crack. Taking note of where the water was first spotted, inspect that part of the home's foundation that is visible above ground on the outside of the home.

How do you fix water damaged basement walls?

Can water come up through concrete?

Water can seep through concrete through an imbalance of relative humidity. The direction moisture moves is determined by the humidity in the concrete and air, so if the concrete has higher relative humidity than the surrounding air, it will release moisture into the air.

Is efflorescence a building defect?

Efflorescence is the formation of insoluble salts that appear as white coloured staining on tiles, concrete, brickwork and stone and is generally considered as a building defect.

How do you remove efflorescence from basement walls?

Fill a bucket with undiluted white vinegar if the efflorescence remains. Fill a separate bucket with warm water. Use a plastic-bristled scrub brush to scrub 3-square-foot sections of the walls with the vinegar. Rinse each section with a sponge and plenty of clean water.