Hygroscopic Salts - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:40, 26 March 2021

2021-03-26T07:40:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:40, 26 March 2021
Line 31:		Line 31:
	* Efflorescence.		* Efflorescence.
	* Humidity.		* Humidity.
		+	* Hygroscopic.
	* Interstitial condensation.		* Interstitial condensation.
	* Moisture.		* Moisture.

Designing Buildings at 07:20, 26 November 2020

2020-11-26T07:20:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:20, 26 November 2020
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	* Water vapour.		* Water vapour.

−	[[Category:~~Education~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Education_and_Training~~]] [[Category:Water]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:Water]]

Editor at 18:28, 25 June 2019

2019-06-25T18:28:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:28, 25 June 2019
Line 18:		Line 18:
	--[[User:AtlantisDamp\|AtlantisDamp]] 14:19, 25 Jun 2019 (BST)		--[[User:AtlantisDamp\|AtlantisDamp]] 14:19, 25 Jun 2019 (BST)

−	[[Category:Education]] [[Category:Water]]	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
		+
		+	* Building damp-free cavity walls.
		+	* Cold bridge.
		+	* Condensation.
		+	* Damp-proof course.
		+	* Damp proof membrane.
		+	* Damp proofing.
		+	* Dew point.
		+	* Diagnosing the causes of dampness (GR 5 revised).
		+	* Dry rot fungus.
		+	* Efflorescence.
		+	* Humidity.
		+	* Interstitial condensation.
		+	* Moisture.
		+	* Penetrating damp.
		+	* Rising damp.
		+	* Rising damp in walls - diagnosis and treatment (DG 245).
		+	* Spalling.
		+	* Stain.
		+	* Structural waterproofing consultant.
		+	* Tanking.
		+	* Understanding dampness.
		+	* Wall insulation and moisture risk.
		+	* Water vapour.
		+
		+	[[Category:Education]] [[Category:DCN_Education_and_Training]] [[Category:Water]]

Editor at 18:27, 25 June 2019

2019-06-25T18:27:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:27, 25 June 2019
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	= What are hygroscopic salts? =		= What are hygroscopic salts? =

−	~~-----~~
	In order to understand the nature of hygroscopic salts, we must first look at the term ‘hygroscopic’ which means to absorb water from the air. Therefore, a substance which is hygroscopic is one which is able to consistently attract water from its surroundings via adsorption or absorption. There are many examples in nature of hygroscopic materials but one of the most commonly known is honey as it is primarily a sugar. Sugar is hygroscopic and in its natural state contains very little water but if the surrounding environment contains moisture it will absorb it.		In order to understand the nature of hygroscopic salts, we must first look at the term ‘hygroscopic’ which means to absorb water from the air. Therefore, a substance which is hygroscopic is one which is able to consistently attract water from its surroundings via adsorption or absorption. There are many examples in nature of hygroscopic materials but one of the most commonly known is honey as it is primarily a sugar. Sugar is hygroscopic and in its natural state contains very little water but if the surrounding environment contains moisture it will absorb it.

−	Salt, like sugar, is also hygroscopic in nature and many salts such as ~~Calcium Chloride~~ and ~~Sodium Hydroxide~~ are so hygroscopic that they will dissolve in the water they absorb. Hygroscopic materials also have a tendency to over time become damp and soft when exposed to air that contains a lot of moisture. As such, the level of moisture held by these hydroscopic salts is usually proportional to the level of humidity.	+	Salt, like sugar, is also hygroscopic in nature and many salts such as calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide are so hygroscopic that they will dissolve in the water they absorb. Hygroscopic materials also have a tendency to over time become damp and soft when exposed to air that contains a lot of moisture. As such, the level of moisture held by these hydroscopic salts is usually proportional to the level of humidity.

−	== Hygroscopic ~~Materials~~ In ~~Walls~~ ==	+	== Hygroscopic materials In walls ==

	-----		-----
−	These hydroscopic materials can however lead to a number of problems, particularly in composite materials such as walls. Dampness in walls can arise from a number of problems, most notably ~~it is~~ as a result of inadequate ground and surface drainage, but it can also be as a result of cracks in ~~your~~ foundations, saturated ground- the list goes on. But, when the soluble salts within the walls become concentrated where the water has evaporated from the wall ~~you~~ will ~~begin to see~~ a ‘tide mark’. This line across the wall ~~isn’t~~ simply an indication that moisture is working its way up through the capillaries of the wall’s building materials. It is in fact a signifier that dampness in the wall has already evaporated to the surface.	+	These hydroscopic materials can however lead to a number of problems, particularly in composite materials such as walls. Dampness in walls can arise from a number of problems, most notably as a result of inadequate ground and surface drainage, but it can also be as a result of cracks in foundations, saturated ground- the list goes on. But, when the soluble salts within the walls become concentrated where the water has evaporated from the wall there will be a ‘tide mark’. This line across the wall is not simply an indication that moisture is working its way up through the capillaries of the wall’s building materials. It is in fact a signifier that dampness in the wall has already evaporated to the surface.
		+
		+	In these instances, hygroscopic salts can have a detrimental impact on the very foundations of your home and will continue to wreak havoc, creating tide marks and dampening wall plaster. Wall plaster in any home with hygroscopic salts which are saturated is at risk of being internally and externally dampened. The first step in addressing this issue is to locate the source of the moisture and rectify the problem. Once this has occurred the damage can be assessed and in most cases, it is advisable to re-plaster the affected walls.

−	~~In these instances~~, hygroscopic salts ~~can~~ have ~~a detrimental impact on the very foundations of your home~~ and will continue to ~~wreak havoc, creating tide marks and dampening your~~ wall ~~plaster~~. ~~Wall plaster in any home with hygroscopic salts which are saturated is at risk of being internally and externally dampened. The first step in addressing this issue is to locate~~ the ~~source~~ of the ~~moisture~~ and ~~rectify~~ the ~~problem~~. ~~Once~~ this ~~has occurred you~~ can ~~begin~~ to ~~assess the damage and in most cases, it~~ is ~~advisable~~ to ~~re-plaster~~ the ~~affected walls~~.	+	Even if the source of the moisture is dealt with, the hygroscopic salts are likely to have retained water and will continue to give the ‘tide’ damp wall appearance. Often, the appearance of the dampness will come and go depending on how dry or humid the air is that day. It is for this reason that the recommendation will always be to freshly plaster as a ‘salt retardant’ additive can be incorporated. This helps to ensure any remaining moisture is unable to evaporate and settle on the plaster surface.

−	~~Even if the source of the moisture is dealt with, the~~ hygroscopic salts are ~~likely to have retained water~~ and ~~will continue to give the ‘tide’~~ damp ~~wall appearance. Often the appearance of the dampness will come and go depending on how dry or humid the air~~ is ~~that day. It is for this reason that the recommendation will~~ always be to ~~freshly plaster as~~ a ~~‘salt retardant’ additive~~ can ~~be incorporated. This helps to ensure any remaining moisture is unable to evaporate~~ and ~~settle on the plaster surface~~.	+	To ensure that any saturated hygroscopic salts found in walls are sufficiently sealed and walls are damp-proofed it is always advisable to use a certified damp-proof specialist who can provide the correct advice and solutions for properties.

−	To ensure that any saturated hygroscopic salts found in your wall are sufficiently sealed and your walls are damp proofed it is always advisable to use a certified damp-proof specialist who can provide the correct advice and solution for your property.--[[User:AtlantisDamp\|AtlantisDamp]] 14:19, 25 Jun 2019 (BST)	+	--[[User:AtlantisDamp\|AtlantisDamp]] 14:19, 25 Jun 2019 (BST)

−	~~[[Category:Conservation]]~~ [[Category:Education]] [[Category:Water]]	+	[[Category:Education]] [[Category:Water]]

AtlantisDamp: Created page with "= What are hygroscopic salts? = ----- In order to understand the nature of hygroscopic salts, we must first look at the term ‘hygroscopic’ which means to absorb water from t..."

2019-06-25T13:19:24Z

Created page with "= What are hygroscopic salts? = ----- In order to understand the nature of hygroscopic salts, we must first look at the term ‘hygroscopic’ which means to absorb water from t..."

New page

= What are hygroscopic salts? =

-----
In order to understand the nature of hygroscopic salts, we must first look at the term ‘hygroscopic’ which means to absorb water from the air. Therefore, a substance which is hygroscopic is one which is able to consistently attract water from its surroundings via adsorption or absorption. There are many examples in nature of hygroscopic materials but one of the most commonly known is honey as it is primarily a sugar. Sugar is hygroscopic and in its natural state contains very little water but if the surrounding environment contains moisture it will absorb it.

Salt, like sugar, is also hygroscopic in nature and many salts such as Calcium Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide are so hygroscopic that they will dissolve in the water they absorb. Hygroscopic materials also have a tendency to over time become damp and soft when exposed to air that contains a lot of moisture. As such, the level of moisture held by these hydroscopic salts is usually proportional to the level of humidity.

== Hygroscopic Materials In Walls ==

-----
These hydroscopic materials can however lead to a number of problems, particularly in composite materials such as walls. Dampness in walls can arise from a number of problems, most notably it is as a result of inadequate ground and surface drainage, but it can also be as a result of cracks in your foundations, saturated ground- the list goes on. But, when the soluble salts within the walls become concentrated where the water has evaporated from the wall you will begin to see a ‘tide mark’. This line across the wall isn’t simply an indication that moisture is working its way up through the capillaries of the wall’s building materials. It is in fact a signifier that dampness in the wall has already evaporated to the surface.

In these instances, hygroscopic salts can have a detrimental impact on the very foundations of your home and will continue to wreak havoc, creating tide marks and dampening your wall plaster. Wall plaster in any home with hygroscopic salts which are saturated is at risk of being internally and externally dampened. The first step in addressing this issue is to locate the source of the moisture and rectify the problem. Once this has occurred you can begin to assess the damage and in most cases, it is advisable to re-plaster the affected walls.

Even if the source of the moisture is dealt with, the hygroscopic salts are likely to have retained water and will continue to give the ‘tide’ damp wall appearance. Often the appearance of the dampness will come and go depending on how dry or humid the air is that day. It is for this reason that the recommendation will always be to freshly plaster as a ‘salt retardant’ additive can be incorporated. This helps to ensure any remaining moisture is unable to evaporate and settle on the plaster surface.

To ensure that any saturated hygroscopic salts found in your wall are sufficiently sealed and your walls are damp proofed it is always advisable to use a certified damp-proof specialist who can provide the correct advice and solution for your property.--[[User:AtlantisDamp|AtlantisDamp]] 14:19, 25 Jun 2019 (BST)

[[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:Education]] [[Category:Water]]