While efflorescence is more unsightly than dangerous, the issues that it represents can be worrying for both your home and your health. As such, it is best to address the underlying issues quickly. Waterproofing is one of many options.
Structural Repairs Come First
Waterproofing is a good way to prevent the recurrence of efflorescence, but it will not treat the underlying causes. First and foremost, you must deal with the source of water in your basement. Whether this is a result of a leaking window well or there are foundation problems in your home, you should contact a professional to have the structural integrity of your home assessed and the underlying causes of this issue identified.
Depending on the nature of the damage in your home, repairs could be quite lengthy and invasive. In fact, if there is more than one issue at work, you could be dealing with a complex set of invasive repairs to return structural stability to the property. As such, we do not recommend that you attempt DIY repairs. There are far too many things that could go wrong.
Waterproofing Has Many Benefits
Once the structure of your home has been returned to full health, there are many benefits to waterproofing your basement. Obviously, waterproofing should prevent the recurrence of efflorescence and staining in your basement, but this is a minor benefit in comparison to the many other benefits it can offer you. One of the most important is the way it can stabilize the interior climate of your home.
Basement waterproofing often includes an upgrade to your insulation as well as improvement to your drainage systems and the installation of a moisture barrier. This contributes to a generally lower level of humidity and more stable temperatures in your basement and property. This will lead to higher energy efficiency in your property and even lower your energy bills over time.