Efflorescence On Wood In Attic

There is no efflorescence on the brick above or below the attic.

Efflorescence on wood in attic.

Efflorescence on the other hand is almost always white or yellow. While mold can be these colors you know you are not looking at efflorescence if it is black gray green blue or pink. Efflorescence is a salt deposit left behind when moisture makes its way through concrete. When the moisture carrying the salts reaches the surface the air causes the moisture to evaporate which then leaves a white crystalline type of powdery material or a.

We live in a 1950 s two story home located in an area with low humidity warm summers very cold winters. Rafters in the attic floor joists in the basement or. Efflorescence will only occur on concrete brick or other masonry structures. Thanks in advance for your help.

It often looks like mold but really it s caused by salt deposits. When water seeps through concrete brick or stone it can leave behind salt deposits. If it s efflorescence the salt with dissolve away. When the water evaporates what remains is a white crystalline substance that resembles mold.

In order to tell if it is white mold or efflorescence mist the affected area with water. 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. 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 is odorless while mold growth often produces a musty odor.

Mold on the other hand grows on organic materials such as wood. Efflorescence develops on inorganic building materials like concrete and brick.