New member and garage floor question

[Norm]

Hi! My name is Norm and I have a problem... I love my garage! But I have another garage problem too! I have a funny white powder on some of the cinder blocks close to the floor, and also it looks like the builder used some wood in beteen the cinder blocks and the floor when he poured the concrete floor. The wood is now damp and mushy.

So, how should I deal with the above issues? I want to epoxy coat the floor and the cinder blocks, then paint the walls etc. Thanks for any help!

 

[PAToyota]

The white stuff is efflorescence - caused by water soaking through the wall and leaching out salts in the mortar and block. You should see where the water is coming from and attempt to solve that problem.

Wood between the slab and block? I just see some caulk. Do you have a better picture of the wood?

 

[Norm]

The white stuff is efflorescence - caused by water soaking through the wall and leaching out salts in the mortar and block. You should see where the water is coming from and attempt to solve that problem.

Wood between the slab and block? I just see some caulk. Do you have a better picture of the wood?

I have heard of efflorescence, but don't ever see any water in the garage. Do you think if I just clean it with a wire brush and paint with epoxy it'll be ok?

Here is a better pic of the wood. It is perhaps 3/4 of an inch wide at the base, and usually about 1/8" below the surface of the slab. Thanks again.

 

[PAToyota]

Oh, that isn't wood - it is likely expansion joint material, a fiber-type product impregnated with tar. It isn't really waterproof and is usually caulked over to seal it.

You may not see actual water inside the garage. Efflorescence is from water coming through the wall from the other side - it may be just enough to moisten things without actually flowing through. What is on the other side of the wall? If this is below grade outside you may have a drainage problem. If it is above grade it could be something like a leaking downspout that is splashing water against the wall.