How do I get rid of efflorescence on a basement wall?

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.

What is the white stuff on my basement walls?

Efflorescence is a common problem in concrete and masonry block foundations. The white fuzzy stuff you see along the inside and outside of your basement wall is efflorescence. As water evaporates from the surface of the unit the mineral deposits are left behind, thus efflorescence crystals can grow.

What can I use for crumbling basement walls?

Remove all loose material with a small paint scraper, then brush off the dust. You can use packaged masonry or concrete repair mixes, available at home improvement stores, or buy a bottle of concrete bonding agent and a bag of mortar.

Will Drylok stop efflorescence?

While DRYLOK® Etch will remove efflorescence and help prevent it from reoccurring, understand that efflorescence comes from salt deposits found in the block itself and can reoccur at any time.

How do you fix a spalling concrete basement wall?

Instructions

Remove loose or flaking concrete.
Repair holes or voids.
Use a lime-based mortar mix to cover the walls.
Blend your mortar mix with water according to the directions on the package.
Apply the mortar to the block wall using a trowel.
Mix and apply a second coat of lime-based mortar.

Does Drylok work on basement walls?

Waterproof interior, exterior, above or below grade walls including basements, retaining walls, and bare concrete swimming pools, foundations, and more. For fish ponds, we recommend using DRYLOK® Original. For floors, we recommend DRYLOK® Floor & Wall.

Why are the walls of my basement Flakey?

This occurs from deterioration caused by moisture. This moisture could be from penetration through the surface of the concrete, as would occur on a sidewalk or driveway, or from moisture moving through the concrete. In your situation, there should be no large source of moisture on the interior side, so the moisture must be coming through the wall.

Why do I have water stains in my basement?

When groundwater consistently infiltrates the porous concrete walls through capillary action, wall stains and related problems can occur. Therefore, the first step to correct any type of basement wall stain problem is to provide adequate foundation drainage in order to minimize the water infiltration.

Why do I have paint chips on my basement floor?

These coatings can and will eventually cave in as groundwater infiltrates the wall and the pressure builds underneath. When that happens, the coatings will bubble up, flake, or peel off of the walls – making for a very ugly and very messy basement with chips of paint all over the floor.

Why is my paint blistering and flaking on my walls?

From blistering and flaking, to foaming paint film, we answer your most common decorating dilemmas. This may be due to any of the following factors: Moisture trapped beneath the surface of the paint film. If the paint is applied over a powdery or friable surface.

Why does my concrete wall keep flaking off?

If you try to seal the interior surface of the concrete, and it still remains wet and the sealer will either flake off or cause even more damage to the wall. The real solution is to stop the water from getting into the concrete in the first place.

Where does the moisture in the basement come from?

A water leak can come from numerous places: a shower, a sink, a toilet, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a bad pipe, just to name a few. Sometimes, if the moisture in your basement is located on the ceiling or walls beneath a bathroom or kitchen, an interior water leak is to blame.