What are old basement walls made of?

Older basement walls were built with dry-laid stone. Later houses had mortared stone or brick basement walls, and concrete, both block and poured, replaced stone and brick completely in the 20th century.

How do you fix old crumbling basement walls?

Basement walls often bear the brunt of a wet Oregon winter, flaking and crumbling. You can repair the damage by brushing on a bonding agent that lets new concrete stick to the old, then patching the wall.

What is growing on my basement walls?

Efflorescence is a common problem in concrete and masonry block foundations. The white fuzzy stuff you see along the inside and outside of your basement wall is efflorescence. As water evaporates from the surface of the unit the mineral deposits are left behind, thus efflorescence crystals can grow. …

Can you waterproof an old basement?

DO apply a masonry waterproofing product to bare interior basement walls. If your foil test showed that water is soaking through your basement walls and leaving them wet, seal the interior of the walls with a high-quality waterproof paint, such as DRYLOK White Extreme Waterproofer (available from Home Depot).

Can mold grow on concrete basement walls?

Mold growth on a concrete wall due to excess humidity. On it’s own, concrete does not provide a sufficient food source for fungal growth. Therefore, unless the concrete is kept extremely clean, mold growth can occur. Of course, even if the concrete is covered in dust, mold will not grow without sufficient moisture.

What is the white fuzzy stuff on my basement floors?

Efflorescence is actually a harmless crystallized mineral salt that has formed on your basement walls over time. In cases where moisture bubbles up from your basement floor, it may even resemble a white “foam” on your floors. Efflorescence forms as moisture passes through the porous concrete of your basement walls.