Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces - Removing effervescence

The database for the search is down so I can't do a search for this.
Can someone tell me what to do about removing the effervescence from the blocks on my basement walls?

The main thing is to divert the water that is causing the effervescence. A wire brush works about as well as anything for the removal.

any broom,wire brush, paint brush will remove it.

It's efflorescence, but that does not matter. It is moisture coming thru the wall and leaching chemicals from the block or concrete. The moisture issue should be corrected, as suggested above. Check gutters/downspouts and grading. They should get house runoff away from the foundation.

I was just wondering if there is something I should wash the wall with before I put some sealer on it?
I spent the entire summer regrading the yard, extending gutters out 12' and even ended up having to replace my sewer pipe to the street. That cost me 10 grand:eek:. Water was seeping (actually probably gushing) out of a hole right next to the foundation. I should be in good shape, just want to seal the interior basement walls to block any minor moisture. My wood shop is down there and my tools have been getting rusty. I also bought a new dehumidifier.

My project for next year, if I can afford it, is to get the interior drain tile system replaced. When they did my sewer pipe they ran an aqua flush up it and I think ground settling has caused a few tiles to misalign or break.

PS Thanks for the spelling lesson, don't know why spell check didn't pick that one up?

As to the spelling...what you spelled was correct...but its for what an Alka Seltser tablet does when you drop it in water or Mentos in a bottle of soda.

effervescence
The bubbling of a solution due to the escape of gas. The gas may form by a chemical reaction, as in a fermenting liquid, or by coming out of solution after having been under pressure, as in a carbonated drink.

efflorescence
A whitish, powdery deposit on the surface of rocks or soil in dry regions. It is formed as mineral-rich water rises to the surface through capillary action and then evaporates. Efflorescence usually consists of gypsum, salt, or calcite.

Hey I knew what it was even if I can't spell :D:p:D

Generally removing the bulk of the efflorescence with a wire brush is all the prep needed to apply drylok.
Use the latex version of drylok, it's almost as good as the oil base but doesn't have the odor that makes you want to leave home for a few days ;)

Second problem I've encountered.
Along the bottom 3 course of block they put what looks like tar. Some of it is coming off easily due to the efflorescence behind it. The rest I'm having trouble getting off. I've tried a wire brush and a scraper. What will remove that crap???:wall:

Tar on the interior side of the block :confused:

It pretty much takes a solvent to disolve the tar in order to remove it. I'd leave it and just paint over the tar.

Yep it's tar all right. I got a little off and took it outside to get a good look at it. I've seen enough roofing tar to know that's what it is. My only conclusion is who ever did it knew that's how they sealed the outer walls back when the house was built and probably figured putting it on the inside would work the same.

Maybe frame in the walls?
Along with all the stuff needed when you do that....