Layer of efflorescence on crawlspace soil should be cleaned?

withoutapaddle

Hi all,

I just started managing a rental house whose crawlspace has had moisture issues for years it seems. 90% of the crawl space soil is covered with a layer of efflorescence, it's all over.

I'm wondering if the efflorescence layer hinders moisture from evaporating efficiently.

Should it be cleaned up ?

We've identified multiple moisture sources and are addressing them. The largest source of moisture was an original 1940's main sewer line which had lots of small holes / cracks.

We do plan to install fans on the crawl space vents to get air moving around too.

tony.g

Is it definitely efflorescence or could it a fungus?

joecaption

Is the grade under the house lower then outside?
Is there a 6 mil plastic vaper barrier on the ground?
Any gutters?
Does the grade outside slope away from the foundation?

Not going to do any good cleaning it off if you do not water proof the foundation on the outside.

withoutapaddle

I had a mold inspection performed. They said it was efflorescence & did not see any mold. Air samples came back normal too.

withoutapaddle

We know the source of moisture and it has been addressed. I'm trying to determine if efflorescence should be cleaned up off the dirt.

To answer the questions asked though:

No vaper barrier. The house is in a dry, sunny area of southern california. The yards of the house have been redesigned so they use no water. Fans are being installed on

Yes there are gutters and they drop water 3 feet away from foundation.

Grade slopes towards foundation which is why we redid the yards so we use no water outside of the house.