The walls in our 5 year old contemporary home are concrete block (CMU) and exposed on the interior. The “look” is natural so we sealed them both inside and out with “Lifetime”, a silicone product. We resprayed the outside again 3 years ago.
We now have white powder on the inside of the walls, mostly in the grout area. This not only looks bad but continues to appear and partially fall off the walls. No matter how much I brush and vaccuum the walls it keeps making a mess.
Is there a clear product that we can apply to the exterior to prevent further leeching? Is there a way to remove this white stuff from the interior of the walls?
Replies
welcome Muffy...
sounds like lime leaching..
what part of the world are you in and what kind of climate do you have...
not famoliar with "Lifetime"...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I live in the Monterey area of California....sometimes cold and rainy, sometimes dry and hot. Seems to happen all of the time.
I use to live there...
who makes "Lifetime"
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Lifetime is made by Mulford in California. It's rubber and silicone and is called a waterproof sealant.
The blocks are filled with lots of rebar and cement.
We called the manufacturer years ago and I don't remember their response, but, obviously their product doesn't work as advertised.
I'm just wondering if there is another product out there that does work and is clear. Also how do I get the stuff off of the walls on the interior.
Thanks, whoever you are....
It might be efflorescence--basically caused by water getting in and it leeches minerals to the surface and evaporation leaves a crust of mineral salts. If you keep the water out, this shouldn't happen. If brushing it off works, keep doing that, but treat the outside with something better to keep the water out. What are the block walls resting on?--water may be coming up through the ground and wicking into the block.
I believe, but am not absolutely sure, that a fairly weak solution of muriatic (hydrochloric) acid will remove efflorescence. Perhaps even white vinegar would work.
Edited 4/20/2005 2:12 pm ET by Danno
BTW.. are the block cells filled...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!