What does efflorescence on the inside of your poured concrete foundation mean?

Question

I know it is mineral and salt deposits from water, but does it mean you have a serious water problem or just something you should expect in an older foundation. There are no significant cracks or water leaks and since I have re done the grading and landscaping there are no "wet looking" spots on the walls. Did this fix my problem or do I need to do more? Drylok perhaps?

Answer 1

There could be a number of reasons for this, it's hard to say if the regrading completly fixed the problem. Were there wet spots on the wall before the grading??

Sounds like the waterproofing barrier has been comprimised on the outside of the foundation whether it was applied using the black tar/rubber compound or the rubber membrane. Having the efflorescence present is a sure sign that a water problem exists/existed but it's hard to say if it's 'seriouse'.  It can be very common in older foundations where the slope of the grade coming off the home is poor and it actually slopes towards the home but it sounds like you addresed this.

IMHO using Drylock is kinda like a band aid repair. If you havent fixed the breech in the waterproof barrior then the water will find it's way around the drylok and become present in another location. Possibly an unknown area that could turn into a problem later down the road.

Do you have gutters? if so make sure the water that comes down the down spout is carried far away from the foundation. Water from downspouts will travel towards dry soil, unfortunatly that usually ends up being towards foundations with an improper grade. Make sure it's carried far away from the home.

This is kinda of a wait and see situation. Wait to see if your grading did the trick, if you notice that it didnt; the next appropriate step is to remove all the earth from the foundation wall and re apply the waterproof membrane but be warned; that this isnt cheap and usually will take a contractor with machinery to perform the work.

    

Answer 2

Efflorescence is well known as the unsightly white deposits or stains that sometimes appear on the surfaces of mortar, concrete or brickwork on buildings and block paving. Three categories of efflorescence are commonly referred to(1):

Lime bloom

Lime weeping

Crystallisation of soluble salts.

White deposits of lime bloom usually become visible when the structures concerned start to dry out. These deposits commonly disappear in the longer term by natural weathering. The effect of lime bloom upon mortar, concrete or brickwork is usually superficial.

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