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Stains in concrete blocks? Gainesville and The Villages

By John M. Acaron, CMI, MRSA

Home Inspector with INDOOR MICROBIAL SPECIALIST HI-80 & MRSA1895

April 28, 2017 07:03 AM

Efflorescence (White Chalky stain) / Gainesville, Newberry, The Villages, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Clermont, Ocala Home Inspections.

Efflorescence is the white chalky powder that you might find on the surface of a concrete or brick wall. It can be a cosmetic issue, or it can be an indication of moisture intrusion that could lead to major structural and indoor air quality issues. If you have any questions contact HOME INSPECTOR USA.

Indications of Moisture

Efflorescence (which means "to flower out" in French) is the dissolved salts deposited on the surface of a porous material (such as concrete or brick) that are visible after the evaporation of the water in which it was transported. The moisture that creates efflorescence often comes from groundwater, but rainwater can also be the source. Efflorescence alone does not pose a major problem, but it can be an indication of moisture intrusion, which may compromise the structural material.

Porous Building Materials

Building materials, such as concrete, wood, brick and stone, are porous materials. Porous materials can absorb or wick water by a process called capillary action. As water moves through the porous material, salts can be drawn with it.

Concrete, wood, brick, stone and mortar are porous materials that contain salts. The ground in which these materials can come into contact also contain salts. Capillary action can literally suck water and transport it through porous building materials.

Capillary Action

Porous building materials are capable of wicking water for large distances due to capillary action with a theoretical limit of capillary rise of about 6 miles. That’s 6 miles directly up. Think of a tree and how a tree can transport water from its roots to its leaves. That’s capillary action. And it’s very powerful. When you add salt to that capillary process, it can be destructive.

HOME INPECTOR USA services the following counties: Alachua, Sumter, Marion & Lake.