Wet walls and saltpeter, what to do?
THE saltpetre on the walls is this type of capillary humidity which appears in the form of whitish spots, resulting from deposits of crystallized salts rising to the surface.
If it generally appears on facades and walls, it is because a building has problems with humidity coming from the basement. And this humidity carries salts and other substances from the ground and walls which end up crystallizing and depositing on the surface of our facades and walls.
Therefore, the appearance of saltpeter and humidity on a wall is not only an aesthetic problem, but it can also cause more serious problems, since it is capable of lifting the covering and leaving a wall completely without protection against rain, sun, etc. thus facilitating the appearance of cracks and leaks.
However, rising damp often spreads easily. Therefore, if a wall has saltpeter stains, it is very likely that in a short time the humidity will rise through the surface and can cause damage related to the installations it houses, such as deterioration of pipes or of the electrical damage.
Whether a facade or wall has saltpeter stains is directly related to the type and quality of the land on which the structure is built. It also has a lot to do with the composition and materials used in the construction of the foundations and their strength and insulation capacity.
Taking into account all the problems that can be the cause of the appearance of saltpeter and humidity in the ground, the first step in treating the walls is to carry out a diagnosis which informs us:
o The characteristics of the saltpeter surface to be treated.
o The type of moisture and its origin, in order to eliminate not only the superficial problem, but also to take the necessary measures to tackle the root of the problem.
After this first analysis, the choice of products to remove saltpeter from walls will not only be simpler, but also much more effective.
As we have mentioned on other occasions, diagnosing the origin of humidity is the key to avoiding the deterioration of a house and guaranteeing the application of the most suitable treatment to improve the aesthetics, but also the insulation and sanitation.
Products for treating saltpeter on walls
Once we know the composition of the structure to be treated and its condition, it is time to choose the products that will allow us to effectively remove saltpeter from the walls.
Several products are recommended:
Tixoway Anti-humidity Acqua:
This is a very effective paint to apply to interior walls with rising damp that require periodic treatment.
It is a high adhesion and high breathability paint. This means it allows water from damp areas to evaporate easily, without flaking or lifting primer coats.
It is the type of paint most recommended for treating walls on ground floors, basements or cellars, where condensation and lack of ventilation often exacerbate basement humidity problems.
Plasmont Anti-humidity:
It is the flagship product for the protection and insulation of walls of different compositions, which often suffer from rising damp from the ground and foundations.
It is very effective on walls made of brick, stone, concrete or mortar, whether interior or exterior.
Plasmont Antihumidity is also perfect for restoration work on walls damaged by soluble salts or efflorescence.
Another point in favor of this type of mortar is that it is effective as a coating. This means that it is also suitable as an exterior or interior coating, it also achieves a continuous and uniform finish.