Salts are naturally present in the earth, and we need certain salts for our survival.
But there's two types which are not good to your house: Hygroscopic & Efflorescent salts.
Hygroscopic salts absorb and effectively 'kidnap' water/moisture; they can cause dampness, cold and decay in masonry structures.
Common table salt (sodium chloride) is a hygroscopic salt which we, as humans need - leave an open pot of it on your kitchen worktop and check back on it a month later.
On the other hand, whilst Efflorescent salts do not necessarily absorb water/moisture they will still hitch a free ride along with water/moisture via capillary action, but they will leave (release) that water/moisture to evaporate off into the atmosphere.
These salts are the ones which leave white, powdery deposits on the surfaces of internal plaster, and external brick and stonework, indicating salt damage.
The noticeable presence of either of these two is down to one common issue: excess moisture.
If left untreated, salts, especially hygroscopic salts, can weaken the structure of period buildings and compromise their integrity over time.
Heres one of our vids showing some earth salts across the foundations of an Edwardian Building:
The Importance of correct treatment
Yet again, "Find the cause, Fix the cause"
The cause is excess moisture which transports these salts through capillary action.
As that water/moisture reaches both internal & external wall surfaces; such as internal plaster/external brickwork/render it then wants to evaporate naturally into the internal/external atmosphere, Efflorescent salts let it go, leaving the salts behind as white 'powdery staining' on the surface.
However, hygroscopic salts are quite different: they are still transported in solution via capillary action through building elements but because they won't release that moisture, instead they put up a fight and form permanent areas of dampness trapped within the fabric of your walls.
Simply put: damp walls are cold walls, and they can freeze internally during winter months.
When water freezes it expands by 9% in volume - so you don't really want them flexing their muscles and eroding your walls from inside out!
With our expertise we can help you to protect your building for years to come.
Dealing with efflorescent salts is easy peasy!
First thing to do is to dry scrape and stiff brush all of the visible salt affected areas, this will allow more moisture to escape.
You will most likely see more salt deposits on the walls as more moisture reaches the surface & evaporates; efflorescent salts are quite harmless and just need brushing/vacuuming off with a brush attachment from time to time.
Do not listen to anyone advising any of these;
Salt neutraliser
Brick acid
Bleach
Anything "HG"
In fact do not use any form of liquids whatsoever because all you will do is re-transport the salts back into the walling through absorption.
That solution will then travel back to the surface again carrying the salts, and you'll simply end up on the "salt merry-go-round"
Simply dry bush/vacuum each time they reappear, until they stop appearing.
Hygroscopic salts are a bit different.
Dealing with hygroscopic salts is a bit of a different matter; these can cause lots of issues when trapped inside walling, whilst attracting, absorbing and retaining more moisture, and can often take years to correct because they put up agood fight, right to the end.
So patience is required, and a visit from us to determine your individual situation and structuring a plan for you to follow.
Contact us.
Don't let salt damage your period property.