Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Brandon, MS
    Posts
    19

    Default Source of Efflorescence in garage

    I found this efflorescence in the garage of a 5 year old brick veneer home. The spots were scattered along the garage floor near the wall closest to the laundry room. I could not find any moisture in the laundry room or inside the house and there was good drainage immediately away from the house but there was some ponding of water in the backyard roughly 12' from the house. My best guess is the water source is a laundry drain pipe leak in the slab. Anyone run across a similar situation and find a cause?

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    OREP Insurance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Sean Thornton View Post
    I found this efflorescence in the garage of a 5 year old brick veneer home. The spots were scattered along the garage floor near the wall closest to the laundry room. I could not find any moisture in the laundry room or inside the house and there was good drainage immediately away from the house but there was some ponding of water in the backyard roughly 12' from the house. My best guess is the water source is a laundry drain pipe leak in the slab. Anyone run across a similar situation and find a cause?
    This will not be much help, but I think it is unlikely to be caused by a drain line under the garage slab. I have yet to see any type of plumbing go under the garage slab. It can be done, but I have not seen any.

    Garage slabs are not required to have moisture barrier under it, so moisture could be coming from under the slab.
    Could even be something was spilled or dripped on the garage floor.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,809

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Sean,
    Water is coming through the slab. It may be just a small amount but I am confident that that is the cause. Drain line crack/break is a reasonable thought. Maybe in conjunction with a tear in a vapor barrier under the slab.

    Rick,
    Maybe a local oddity that you do not see plumbing under a slab. For for me it is a common occurrence. Though the garage is a little uncommon.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Garry Sorrells View Post

    Rick,
    Maybe a local oddity that you do not see plumbing under a slab. For for me it is a common occurrence. Though the garage is a little uncommon.
    Which is it, common or uncommon?

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,809

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Sorry Rick, Just a little uncommon but still see it on occasion.

    Was on phone and typing at the same time, multitasking.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Rock Hill S.C.
    Posts
    95

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Could it be a low spots in the concrete?
    Wet car pulls into the garage, water stands in those areas instead of draining away.
    If it's only against the one side the vapor barrier could have came up a little short on one end, allowing the moisture to wick up.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Deicing salt can leave similar patterns.
    Also what appear to be mouse feces in second photo?


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Delmar NY
    Posts
    157

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Raymond Wand View Post
    Deicing salt can leave similar patterns.
    Also what appear to be mouse feces in second photo?
    They look like dead ants to me. But I'm looking at a small screen.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    De-icing salt would not be very likely in Brandon MS!

    I'm going with Dog Pee! Yep, good ole dog urine will leave spots just like that on concrete. Urine as it evaporates becomes hygroscopic and attracts moisture (humidity) from the air.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Brandon, MS
    Posts
    19

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    The only problem with the dog pee theory is that they don't have a dog and the garage door has been closed.


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
    Posts
    5,851

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Sean Thornton View Post
    The only problem with the dog pee theory is that they don't have a dog and the garage door has been closed.
    That is a problem! But you must admit the dog theory sounds good.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Sean Thornton View Post
    The only problem with the dog pee theory is that they don't have a dog and the garage door has been closed.
    How many times have I had a tenant tell me " I don't even have a dog!"?
    Yeah, right.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Charlotte NC
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    I don 't remember ever seeing efflorescence on top of a horizontal surface, has anybody?

    The beatings will continue until morale has improved. mgt.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Vern Heiler View Post
    I don 't remember ever seeing efflorescence on top of a horizontal surface, has anybody?
    Yes, it is common here in cawlspaces that have a concrete skim coat over poly. Moisture defies gravity and comes up from below. That brings the white crystals out of the concrete.

    The long narrow stain could be above a drain pipe. A bit of probing along the outer wall might detect a pipe. I recommend washing the floor. It's just a garage.

    OK, if it has to be fixed, drill holes 2 feet apart in a grid pattern and inject a high tech liquid polymer to create a new vapor barrier.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,809

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    How many times have I had a tenant tell me " I don't even have a dog!"?
    Yeah, right.
    Well may be they had a pig. It may be about how you worded your question.


  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Posts
    895

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Vern Heiler View Post
    I don 't remember ever seeing efflorescence on top of a horizontal surface, has anybody?
    Oh yes. Both basement and a few garages. Not often and in my experience it was high moisture under the slabs. Steel support columns in basement floors rusted though also. One builder's rep told they buyer that is was "normal" to have water in a basement.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    This looks like absorption of some sort of liquid that is now efflorescing back out of the concrete---could be lots of things. Like Scott said, dog pee or cat pee is a good guess. Other things could be laundry detergents, solvents etc. Give it the old smell test


  18. #18
    Patrick McCaffery's Avatar
    Patrick McCaffery Guest

    Default Re: Source of Efflorescence in garage

    Quote Originally Posted by Vern Heiler View Post
    I don 't remember ever seeing efflorescence on top of a horizontal surface, has anybody?
    I have had it in my 1985 built home, in the garage floor. The soil is heavy clay and I live within 3/4 of a mile from Lake Ontario. The climate is very damp and efflorescence does appear. Just bringing in a rain damp or washed car will cause it.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •