Efflorescence On Wood In Attic

If you find a white mold like substance on sheet rock or wood you can certainly rule out efflorescence.

Efflorescence on wood in attic.

Efflorescence is odorless while mold growth often produces a musty odor. If it s efflorescence the salt with dissolve away. Efflorescence on the other hand is almost always white or yellow. When the water evaporates what remains is a white crystalline substance that resembles mold.

Efflorescence is often described as dissolvable salts in moisture that are transported through porous materials such as concrete brick block and stone through capillary action. Efflorescence will only occur on concrete brick or other masonry structures. Before insulating our attic i would like to know if i should be concerned about a heavy white efflorescence on the bricks of the chimney in our attic. Rafters in the attic floor joists in the basement or.

When water seeps through concrete brick or stone it can leave behind salt deposits. Efflorescence develops on inorganic building materials like concrete and brick. There is no efflorescence on the brick above or below the attic. Thanks in advance for your help.

While mold can be these colors you know you are not looking at efflorescence if it is black gray green blue or pink. Mold on the other hand grows on organic materials such as wood. It often looks like mold but really it s caused by salt deposits. We live in a 1950 s two story home located in an area with low humidity warm summers very cold winters.

Efflorescence is a salt deposit left behind when moisture makes its way through concrete. In order to tell if it is white mold or efflorescence mist the affected area with water.