Salt damage
Inform Guide: Masonry Decay, published on 1 November 2005 by Historic Scotland, states: ‘Damage can occur from a variety of sources, including the laying of salt on pavements or roads close to buildings during winter to prevent ice from forming. As salt is soluble and stone porous, it can be washed into the stone by rain and ground water. As the water evaporates, this can lead to the salt re-crystallising inside the stone. When the salt crystals outgrow the available space in the stone’s pores, they exert pressure. This leads to a breakdown of the stone, often resulting in a loose powdery surface with a white appearance. To help prevent this from happening it is best to keep the application of winter salt, and other possible contaminants, well away from the stone courses near the ground.’
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