basement, crystalized looking substance behind the water heater?

Question

i found this ice crystals look-a-like behind my furnace and water heater heater. i removed them to see and they were dry and about 1 foot from the floor. the house is really old, water problems in the basement. i have been cleaning it out to find where the water is coming in at. i have seveal places marked. so, also what is the best thing to put on the walls to stop the leaking in ? thanks

Answer 1

It is the minerals from water that has been drying there. There is a great water proofing paint available at most building supply and hardware stores That will do a very nice job of sealing your walls and floors on the inside once they are cleaned well. It works well in all climates too. You will have to find the source of the leak. It could be from your water heater or through the walls. It could even be coming in down the chimney. If you find it is through the walls build up around the outside of the foundation of your home so you have a nice sloop away from your foundation. Low spots around the foundation are usually the biggest cause of basement moisture.

Answer 2

The crystals look-a-like in my opinion are the minerals which build up when the water, which is hard water, i.e., rich in minerals like calcium, evaporates.

Rain water could have penetrated the concrete or stone partition barrier between outside and inside your house, and seeps in minute droplet by droplet, and thus the crystals rise up by accumulation as the water evaporates.

Answer 3

That is probably a calcium build up. AS for sealing it, you could try a grout or a cement sealer. But don't expect it to last forever (especially in winter climates). There are professional services that have special tools and material that will fix it.

Answer 4

for larger holes.use hydraulic cement apply quickly
because it will dry in less than 5-minutes.then
paint walls with drylock paint