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Common Water Issue in BC
White Chalky Deposit on Foundation Walls — Efflorescence
Efflorescence — a white, chalky crystalline deposit on concrete or masonry walls — indicates that water is migrating through the foundation material from the exterior. The salts are carried by water and deposited on the surface when the water evaporates.
Possible Causes
- •Hydrostatic pressure forcing groundwater through foundation walls
- •Failed exterior waterproofing or drainage board
- •Clogged or broken perimeter drainage system (weeping tiles)
- •Poor grading allowing water to pool against foundation
- •High water table during rainy season exceeding foundation drainage capacity
Recommended Steps
- 1Brush off loose efflorescence and monitor whether it returns after dry weather
- 2Check exterior grading — soil should slope away from foundation
- 3Inspect downspout extensions — water should discharge at least 6 feet from foundation
- 4Test interior humidity levels — high humidity may be the primary issue
- 5Call professional leak detection with moisture mapping for foundation assessment
Need Professional Help?
Don't let a small leak become a big problem. Contact LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca — for expert diagnosis.