Water, can-could enter into the hollow blocks from ‘above-ground-openings’…cant tell from Pic
s whether or not the ‘TOP’ blocks are stained.
But, if they are AND, the TOP of blocks are ‘above ground level’ then, there IS a problem/opening(s) etc from…that point UP.
See this fairly often, staining up-high on block walls due to openings etc above ground inclg openings where garage roof/flashing and house meet, open mortar joint(s) just above gar.roof and any others incl
g windows/screened windows-have seen 2nd floor-upstairs window be the problem, so its not necessarily ???salt from cars???/driveway, again, can`t tell from pics.
There IS a way to find out, if you want…now, you-others may not like this approach for other reasons BUT, if one wants to know for certain then, this is one way ta go…
Move whatever crap in garage outta the way that they/you dont want to get wet, run a hose/water test, yup...thats right, on the outside on this stained area inside. IF, i say IF, the top or near top of block wall-any part of wall begins to get damp/wet/stained while you are soaking along ground level-garage floor then, there IS an opening/crack etc BELOW ground on outside of HOLLOW-block wall.That still doesn
t entirely rule out a potential problem above grade/ground. Any-all openings need to be correctly sealed, below & above ground, do the TOP crs. of blocks extend UP-over ground level or not?
If it does NOT get damp/wet/stained after running hose-water for say, about 30-45 minutes then most likely, the problem…opening(s) are ABOVE the garage roof, yup, no chtt! :mrgreen:
If/when there is a crack on Outside of hollow block wall then, radon gas can enter through this crack and so can insects, This is why its always BEST to first correctly DEFINE what the problem(s) is and, it seems you wont be able to attain that by simply looking or like you
ve already tried, having a PE… ‘look’. Raising the grade/extending downspouts 1 mile away from a corner,mudjacking slab etc does Not seal these openings that allow water/radon/insects etc to enter, never has `n never will.
PE said they think discolorment-staining from ‘salt’ ? Well, sure appears its MORE than that, water/moisture and not so much ‘salt’. Is there efflorescence on this part of basement wall? Sheesh,if so, this has nothing to do with ‘salt’ from cars, what a crock. lol
And yeah to those who scoff at the water test, i sure the heck have done em in garage and, homeowners were very happy to…FINALLY get problem correctly defined `n then fixed.