Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 09, 1999 10:44pm | #1

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   Hi Leslie,

   I assume you painted the exterior with the elastomeric paint. Is the block wall the interior finish in the stairwell, basement, or through out the building? I'll be working on the upper floors of the financial center tomorrow so I'll probably drive by or see your building out the window.

   joe

2. 
   PRP | Dec 10, 1999 08:26pm | #2

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   Are you sealing the exterior or interior side?

1. 
   LeslieC | Dec 16, 1999 04:02am | #3

   *We have sealed the exterior with elastomeric paint. The concrete block is the exterior and interior finish of the building and is used throughout, not just in the stairwells and basement.

1. 
   LeslieC | Dec 16, 1999 04:06am | #4

   *We have sealed the exterior with an elastomeric paint. On the interior the concrete block is just painted with a regular latex enamel paint.

3. 
   Guest_ | Dec 17, 1999 07:25pm | #5

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   Hi Leslie - I too live in Oregon - just an hour plus west of you on the coast - so I am familiar with our weather. I have investigated effloresence problems in the past. First of all - I am not a pro when it comes to block masonry. I was called in to repair an effloresence problem which was pretty bad. I talked to the elastomeric reps, the local masons and concrete guys and came to the conclusion that cmu block should never be used in this climate. My understanding is that once the block is saturated - the time it will take to completely dry is unknown. It is the drying process that causes the effloresence - as the moisture migrates to the interior surface it leaches the salts and minerals.

   I was lucky enough to have been called on in the spring - so I scheduled the work for that august - usually one of our driest months. First I completely removed (mechanically) all exterior paint - repaired an defects(chipped block, broken mortar joints, etc.) - then applied the elastomeric per manufacturer specs ("x" number of mils thickness) and installed a new roof with new flashings over the parapets. Next I moved inside and stripped those walls and set up heaters and fans to dry. Maybe I should have dried longer than two weeks, at any rate a couple months down the road and the effloresence was back - not as bad but none the less - it was still there.

   Bottom line? Well..........I guess i don't have one really - I'm not sure of "your" solution. My suggestion is complete sealing of the outside and wait for complete drying of the inside. Sorry I don't have better news.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 17, 1999 08:42pm | #6

   *Hi Leslie,I'm having effloresence problems aswell on concrete block. However, it's in by basement. I know the situation is different but I used epoxy based paint on the inside and it seems to have adhered and sealed the walls very well. It's been a year and I haven't seen any problems yet. I'm not familiar with elastomeric paint. It sounds like it's more flexible than epoxy based which becomes like a hard plastic shell. I don't know if this will help you in any way.Good luckGaby

4. 
   LeslieC | Jan 05, 2000 05:44am | #7

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   I needs some advise from anyone out there who has ever found a solution to sealing concrete block walls that have bad efflorescence problems. The building we are having trouble with is a high rise located in Portland, Oregon, so there is lots of rain exposure. We have tried sealing the building with an elastomeric paint, and we are still getting moisture penetrating the block walls. We have also tried reroofing the building and covering the parapet walls. Any suggestions out there?