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Leakage getting into basement and causing dampness can be identified using several methods. It is important to give careful attention to the possible water entry points, and for damage being caused by water entering your home. A good sign that there is a basement leak is presence of efflorescence.
Efflorescence occurs as a white chalky substance sometimes seen on walls. It may appear like little whiskers or some ice flakes. In the real sense, it is actually deposits of salts dissolved and carried by water. These are left on concrete or brick after the water dries out. The salts emanate from within the materials used in the building such as the calcium found in concrete.
Checking for Efflorescence
Efflorescence appearing as white salty substance on the walls of the exterior or interior in your home may be easy to spot after the water dries out. It is common in damp conditions. The efflorescence mainly forms on the lower sections of walls, particularly near the surface of floor, and can cover larger areas.
Apart from being an eye sore, it can cause health problems too. When efflorescence occurs on the inside of walls, with time, it can cause spalling meaning the walls peel and flake off. Efflorescence is also a sign of dampness occurring in your foundation walls therefore, it can indicate some sort of leakage or issues with your basement waterproofing, if it occurs on the inside walling.
Such salts need certain amount of moisture for them to dissolve and be deposited as efflorescence. Your walls have to be quite wet for efflorescence to take place.