Saltpeter (Humidity)
Introduction
Efflorescence, in the field of construction, is the migration of various salts to the surface of porous materials (bricks, concrete or other materials used in construction), where a whitish-looking layer is formed. The water in the enclosures evaporates, which generates a recrystallization of the materials used, which manifests itself in a saline layer or stain.[1][2].
In many cases, construction efflorescence is only a cosmetic external problem, but can sometimes indicate internal structural weakness (migration/degradation of component materials). Efflorescence can clog the pores of the materials, which, in the long run, generates the destruction of those materials by the internal pressure of the water.
Causes
Efflorescences are produced by the presence of one of the following phenomena:
Types of efflorescence
Basically, there are two types of efflorescence that occur in construction:
References
- [1] ↑ RINCÓN, J. Mª.; ROMERO, M. (2000). «Fundamentos y clasificación de las eflorescencias en ladrillos de construcción». MATERIALES DE CONSTRUCCIÓN, 50 (260): 63-69. Consultado el 03-10-2024.: https://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/article/download/391/437/506
- [2] ↑ Eroski Consumer (2022). «Cómo se crean las eflorescencias». Consultado el 2 de octubre de 2024.: https://www.consumer.es/bricolaje/eflorescencias-causas-prevencion-y-tratamiento.html#:~:text=Las%20eflorescencias%20son%20cristales%20de,porosos%20y%20contienen%20sales%20solubles.
- [3] ↑ a b Walloch, Craig T.; Ebner, Cynthia L. & Chin, David et al. (1995). «US5460648A ."Masonry admixture and method of preparing same"». Consultado el 2 de octubre de 2024.: https://worldwide.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US5460648