It may appear to take care of the problem temporarily but once the damp surface dries, the salt deposits may appear again. Mold needs a food source to flourish. Excessive moisture can lead to mold growth and can also damage building materials. In order to tell if it is white mold or efflorescence mist the affected area with water. That's a great question Jane, and first of all just so you know that efflorescence is not mold! These molds may also have other colors present as well. Copyright © 2020 mold-advisor.com   |   All rights reserved. Other salts can be washed away with a hand brush, mild detergent, and a water rinse. Molds are the filamentous fungal microbes grow on the moisture-prone areas. To find mold remediation professionals offering free in-home consultations in your area, follow the link. Efflorescence is a salt deposit left behind when moisture makes its way through concrete. Salt can also come from the soil and be present in the water itself in areas that have hard water. Mold is a kind of fungus. It consists of salt deposits that remain on the surface of these materials when water – mostly groundwater but sometimes also rain water – evaporates. Efflorescence is normally worn off or washed away on unsealed concrete surfaces. Efflorescence, on the other hand, is almost always white or yellow. Just like with mold, efflorescence may appear as[Read More] Different techniques are used to remove them from household materials. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Efflorescence develops on inorganic building materials, like concrete and brick. Step Five – Remove any porous materials that cannot be adequately cleaned (insulation, carpet, drywall, etc.) Wet basements are especially prone to efflorescence growth. Return From White Mold To Our Types Of Mold Page, Free Home Inspection By A Mold Removal Specialist. Mold tends to thrive in dark, damp environments with a food source present. Two simple tests can determine whether you’re looking at white mold on concrete or efflorescence salt deposits. Lightly mist the area. In most cases, it’s not really necessary to determine exactly which type of mold is growing in your home; all types of mold can damage the structure of your home and all types of mold can cause health problems. Hence, the uncertainty to presume whether it is mold growth or efflorescence is explicable. Varied surfaces and different areas of the country can produce different efflorescence colors, but again, it’s often white with a grayish tinge. 2, Pull a small amount from the wall, and squeeze it. Follow this link to find experienced mold removal professionals offering free consultations and home inspections in your area. Efflorescence is a salt deposit left behind when moisture makes its way through concrete. Efflorescence breaks into a fine powder. You won't find efflorescence on organic materials like wood, however. For example, a weak solution of muriatic acid is used for some surfaces, but it might damage others. It is relatively difficult for the common people like us to differentiate between the mold and efflorescence. Here is a link to find certified mold testers near you. If you see it on anything other than concrete or masonry, it’s mold. Efflorescence is almost always white, yellow or brown, while mold can be any color imaginable. Take a small amount of the deposit and squeeze it. You can then decide whether you are equipped to do the work yourself or if you need to hire someone for the job. Request an Estimate Call Us 518-859-9769. The spots can be powdery and filmy in nature. Dehumidifiers, Hygrometers, Leak Detectors and More. On the other hand, efflorescence does not get easily cleaned up, but it does not have any negative impact on health too. It’s a pretty common substance that is often confused with mold, but mold is usually green, blue, or black (though it can indeed be white). If it’s efflorescence the salt with dissolve away. How to Make Your Bathrooms More Resistant to Mold? It can also cause serious health problems. It appears white or light gray, like a coating of unsettled dust. That way you can make sure you don't inadvertently damage the masonry or other materials in your home. Cover doorways and ventilation ducts with heavy plastic and consider setting up negative pressure in the area using a shop vac. 1020 Brevik Place Unit 1A  |  Mississauga, Ontario  |  L4W 4N7 Canada. It’s also best not to use your crawlspace as storage, because cardboard boxes and other organic materials are a food source for mold. It can be carpeted, walls of leaky ceilings, window frames and walls of bathroom etc. As we mentioned before, the source of the moisture must also be addressed when removing and remediating the mold. In general, cleaning efflorescence from a surface is an ongoing solution rather than a cure. How To Distinguish White Mold From Efflorescence Do you know the difference between white mold and efflorescence? Mold can be any color, but is often black or gray. and the surrounding Upstate New York area. Efflorescence dissolves in water, while mold does not. We recommend checking your attic occasionally for the appearance of white mold or a musty smell. Attics provide an ideal environment for white mold since they contain plenty of food sources such as wood and insulation. Open House Real Estate Sanitization & Disinfecting For Coronavirus, Commercial Air Purification & Surface Sanitization For Coronavirus / COVID-19, Elite House Cleaning Services Using Electrostatic Spray Disinfecting For Coronavirus, HVAC Mold Removal. How Can You Tell if You Have White Mold or Efflorescence? This is a cause for concern for homeowners with sealed concrete floors or other solid surfaces in which efflorescence is present.

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