ASK THE INSPECTOR

Have you ever noticed a white, powdery-looking substance on the brick or concrete foundation of a home? This is called efflorescence, or the migration of salt to the surface of a porous material. When salts are in or on a material and moisture is present, the salt becomes a soluble solution. As it moves to the material’s surface, the moisture evaporates and the salts crystallize, leaving behind a white residue.

As inspectors, we tend to spot efflorescence on basement foundation walls, in crawlspaces, on garage walls, and on brick exterior surfaces. While the presence of efflorescence isn’t necessarily evidence of a major maintenance issue, there are a few red flags to look for. If efflorescence is accompanied by any of the following, we recommend calling in a qualified specialist for further evaluation.   Read more…….

Source: https://npiweb.com/iowacity/