EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Other Improvements
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-06-08, 12:57 PM   #1
Higgy
The Gardener
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Manitoba - Canada
Posts: 492
Thanks: 17
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Default Garage Issues

Hey there,

I've been having mold (or what I think is mold) form on my garage wall base since I've moved into it 4 years ago. The house is only 5 or 6 years old. I've just washed it with cleaning solution and sealed it with cement sealer, but it's still molding. I was going to acid wash it, but I've never done it before and I just wasn't feeling adventurous enough to try, and of course no one I know has ever done it. Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what's happening (it's the white powdery stuff close to the floor):





Before I sealed it, it was eating at the cement and every time I would clean it off, chunks of cement would come off as well. I'm not sure if that will still happen now that I've sealed it, but you never know. It almost seems as if the air and moisture coming up out of the junction between the floor and wall is what's causing it, but I'm not sure if I should seal that up with some type of caulking or if it's suppose to be left open. The other thing I'm thinking is if I should be putting some kind of ventilation or de-humidifier into the garage or not.

Any suggestions? I really don't want to spend the money for some cement guy to come in and fix it or whatever if it's something that I can do.

Higgy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-08, 11:42 AM   #2
toyobug
avid DIY'r
 
toyobug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MS. Gulf Coast
Posts: 154
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Higgy- here's what I found:
Wet Basement Waterproofing white powder
This one may be a little more informative.
Ask the Expert: Painting Concrete that has "Efflorescence"
I hope this helps you. Doesn't seem like anything to be too worried about providing you treat it accordingly.
toyobug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-08, 11:53 AM   #3
toyobug
avid DIY'r
 
toyobug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MS. Gulf Coast
Posts: 154
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Higgy- this link has pictures and tips for various problems.
Wet Basement Waterproofing pictures
toyobug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-08, 01:32 PM   #4
Higgy
The Gardener
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Manitoba - Canada
Posts: 492
Thanks: 17
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Thanks a bunch Toyo. I didn't know that's what it was called until reading your posts. I may have to call a concrete guy to come and look at what's going on as it's already eaten away some of the top layer of the concrete in certain parts of the garage. But I'll wait until next year to see how this sealer does. Maybe once it's fully absorbed into the concrete the issue may stop.

I think my garage also needs a small dehumidifier out the side of it just to get rid of that extra moisture and circulate the air in the garage.

Appreciate the help man!
Higgy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-08, 01:40 PM   #5
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

For a garage, I'd recommend a fan instead of a dehumidifier. For mild cases, a fan will get air moving about enough where you don't need run a dehumidifier. This'll save a descent amount of electricity as you don't have to run a small refrigeration unit.
__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-08, 02:10 PM   #6
Higgy
The Gardener
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Manitoba - Canada
Posts: 492
Thanks: 17
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Sorry...not a dehumidifier, I meant something like this:
Wizzvent® - Garage Ventilation, Window Condensation, Mold on Walls, Window Frost
Gets rid of moisture and circulates the air.
Higgy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-08, 02:37 PM   #7
Higgy
The Gardener
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Manitoba - Canada
Posts: 492
Thanks: 17
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Some other info I found on ventilating your garage:
Garage ventilation thwarts numerous problems - Home and Garden - MLive.com
Higgy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-08, 11:50 AM   #8
toyobug
avid DIY'r
 
toyobug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: MS. Gulf Coast
Posts: 154
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

No problem Higgy- glad I could help.
I'd go with the small fan Idea like Daox suggested. All you need is something that will move air.
toyobug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-08, 01:30 PM   #9
knowbodies
Home Improvement Goon
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Moose Jaw, SK, CA
Posts: 96
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I wouldn't worry about it at all. It just looks like efflorescence. Waterproofing it likely won't help. Efflorescence is a side effect of water pushing through the concrete from the ground. You can take a look outside and make sure you have adequate drainage around your home - just make sure the ground slopes away and all your downspouts are diverted away. However, you're located in Winnipeg which is a natural floodplain - every spring the ground gets waterlogged pushing moisture up through your garage floor. Structurally, your garage should be fine but you might want to think of parging the concrete if the spalling gets too bad (if it loses 0.5 - 1.0 inches of thickness).


Last edited by knowbodies; 11-01-08 at 01:30 PM.. Reason: speeling
knowbodies is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:12 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design