White Mold On Concrete Basement Walls

But even an inorganic material like concrete can become mildewed when spores begin to grow on dust dirt or old.

White mold on concrete basement walls.

Hydrogen peroxide method 3 hydrogen peroxide spray bottle bristle brush. When the water evaporates a white fluffy structure is left behind. Efflorescence is typically found on concrete and brick while mold grows on organic materials like wood and drywall. And where there is water there is mold and potential structural damage.

Efflorescence is not harmful. Your eyes and nose are suitable tools. The chalky white substance so often found on old brick cement or cinder block walls is efflorescence. White mold growth provides an additional challenge because it is often confused with efflorescence a crystalline growth structure found on concrete and masonry surfaces.

While the white powder often found on basement walls and mold are caused by similar conditions they are actually different materials. Efflorescence is often mistaken for white mold in basement concrete because they look a lot alike. Efflorescence dissolves in water mold does not. White mold is a living organism fungus while efflorescence is simply salt deposits.

Molds can cause health problems including allergies asthma infections and other respiratory reactions. The darkness and humidity in the basement provide ideal conditions for mold and it usually doesn t take a microscope to tell you have a problem. Concrete walls are not especially prone to mold and mildew which are words for the same thing. However it is a sign of a water problem.

It s an alkaline substance composed of salts and minerals from the concrete itself in addition. In fact to the untrained eye efflorescence is almost identical to white mold. The white powder is efflorescence or minerals left behind as water that has flowed through the concrete walls evaporates. Mold can grow on many kinds of surfaces including drywall tile fabrics and even concrete.

Efflorescence occurs when water moves through a masonry structure bringing unbounded salts to the surface. It is not mold. It occurs when moisture moves through concrete or other types of masonry and pulls minerals along with the water. Tips for distinguishing between white mold and efflorescence.

Most people confuse secondary efflorescence with mold because it looks like a white dusty mold growing on your concrete. You can remove efflorescence with phosphoric acid but that won t prevent that water problem. On concrete basement floors a problem with moisture rising up from the wet ground can cause a fuzzy white mold to grow on the surface. Efflorescence can look very similar to white mold growth.

As the water evaporates at the surface the salts and minerals are left behind leaving a crystalline growth.