Name: stopping white salt crystals on masonry
Uploaded: 2024-09-12T16:16:29.000Z
Duration: 1 min 25 s
Channel: JoVE

La eflorescencia aparece como una mancha de polvo cristalino, a menudo de color blanco, en superficies de mampostería de ladrillo, piedra u hormigón.
Cuando el agua se infiltra en la superficie de la mampostería, las sales alcalinas solubles en agua presentes en las unidades de mampostería o el mortero se disuelven en agua.
Eventualmente, esta agua migra a la superficie y se evapora, dejando depósitos de sales en la superficie de la mampostería.
Las eflorescencias que se producen poco después de la finalización de la construcción se pueden limpiar con agua y un cepillo.
Aunque las eflorescencias pueden reaparecer nuevamente, los agentes naturales como la lluvia pueden lavar los depósitos de sal y, con el tiempo, la eflorescencia se reduce a medida que las sales se filtran gradualmente fuera de la mampostería.
Las eflorescencias que aparecen en las paredes de mampostería de un edificio después de varios años indican que el agua ha comenzado a penetrar recientemente en la pared.
La rectificación de la fuente de fuga controlará la aparición de eflorescencias.
Para evitar eflorescencias, se utilizan unidades de mampostería y mortero libres de sales solubles en agua, y se minimiza la intrusión de agua en las paredes de mampostería.
Las paredes se pueden proteger proporcionando un drenaje adecuado del techo o aplicando barreras impermeables que eviten la entrada de humedad externa pero permitan la migración del vapor de agua hacia el exterior.

eflorescencia en mampostería

Efflorescence in Masonry

La eflorescencia en las paredes de mampostería aparece como un polvo cristalino esponjoso, a menudo blanco, que resulta de las sales solubles en agua dentro de la mampostería o el mortero. Cuando el agua penetra en la mampostería, disuelve estas sales y las lleva a la superficie, donde se depositan al evaporarse el agua.

Si bien la eflorescencia inicial es común después de la construcción y se puede limpiar con agua y un cepillo, en ciertos casos, la eflorescencia puede reaparecer y disminuir gradualmente con el tiempo a medida que las sales se filtran de las superficies de mampostería cuando se exponen a agentes naturales como la lluvia. Sin embargo, la aparición de eflorescencia en las superficies de mampostería en los últimos años de la finalización de la construcción indica nuevas filtraciones de agua. En tales casos, es necesario identificar y reparar la fuente de la filtración de agua.

La eflorescencia se puede prevenir utilizando unidades de mampostería probadas para detectar la ausencia de sales solubles y empleando ingredientes de mortero limpios. Minimizar la intrusión de agua en las superficies de mampostería también reduce la eflorescencia. Esto se logra asegurando un drenaje adecuado del techo y proporcionando aleros que sirvan de protección siempre que sea posible. Además, la aplicación de revestimientos en la pared que impidan la entrada de humedad sin impedir el movimiento hacia afuera del vapor de agua evita la eflorescencia. En algunos casos, la construcción de paredes con cavidades puede ser preferible a la construcción de paredes sólidas, ya que proporciona una barrera adicional contra la intrusión de humedad.

Eflorescencia en mampostería

La eflorescencia aparece como una mancha de polvo cristalino, a menudo de color blanco, en superficies de mampostería de ladrillo, piedra u hormigón.
Cuando el agua se infiltra en el ...

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JoVE Core

Civil Engineering

Ingeniería Civil

Unit 1

Unidad 1

Masonry

Albañilería

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

TÉRMINOS Y CONCEPTOS CLAVE

stopping white salt crystals on masonry

Efflorescence is the white, fluffy crystal layer that can form on masonry walls. It happens when water-soluble salts in brick, stone, concrete, or mortar are dissolved by water and carried to the surface. When the water evaporates, the salts are left behind as a powdery deposit.

New efflorescence is often seen soon after construction. In many cases, it can be cleaned with water and a brush. It may also fade over time as rain leaches salts out of the masonry surface. If efflorescence appears years after a building is finished, it often points to a new water leak that should be found and repaired.

Efflorescence can be reduced by choosing masonry units that have been tested for low soluble salts and by using clean mortar ingredients. Limiting water intrusion also helps. Good roof drainage, roof overhangs where possible, and wall coatings that block moisture but still let water vapor escape can all lower the risk. In some buildings, cavity wall construction gives extra protection against moisture compared with solid wall construction.

Stopping White Salt Crystals on Masonry

composite masonry walls

Bonding and Materials in Composite Masonry

Composite masonry walls use two or more wythes, or vertical layers, of masonry to form one unified wall. The wythes may use the same material or different masonry materials. They are joined to work together as a single structure. These wythes can be bonded in several ways. Builders may use mortar-filled collar joints, grouted spaces, or rigid metal ties with reinforcement. Masonry header units can also connect the layers, but this method is rare. Metal ties are often preferred because they...

masonry cavity walls

Masonry Cavity Walls and Moisture Control

Masonry cavity walls use two wythes, or layers, with a hollow space between them. The outer and inner wythes are linked only by corrosion-resistant metal ties. This design helps manage water and improve wall performance. When rainwater passes through the outer wythe, it moves down through the cavity. Flashing catches the water and directs it toward weep holes, where it can leave the wall. The inner wythe often has damp-proofing on the cavity side. This layer also works as an air barrier. The...

masonry loadbearing walls

How Masonry Walls Support Buildings

Masonry load-bearing walls support floors and roofs and carry those loads down to the foundation. They are built from brick, stone, or concrete masonry units. These walls rely on compressive strength, which means they can resist pushes from above very well. Masonry walls may be reinforced or unreinforced, depending on the building needs. They carry dead loads and live loads while using working stresses that stay below the materials' ultimate strength. That safety margin helps the structure...

masonry curtain walls

Masonry Curtain Walls and Support Systems

Masonry curtain walls use brick or stone veneer as an exterior cladding system. The veneer is supported by the building structure, so the wall can be both attractive and functional. Two main construction methods are used for these walls. One method builds the masonry units in place through traditional layering. The other uses prefabricated panels that are assembled on the ground and then lifted into position. In traditional construction, steel shelf angles attached to the spandrel beam carry...

posttensioned masonry walls

How Masonry Walls Gain Extra Strength

Post-tensioned masonry walls gain extra strength from high-strength steel rods or flexible tendons. These tensioning elements are anchored to the foundation and run vertically through the wall. In some walls, they sit inside the cores of the masonry units. In others, they are placed between the masonry wythes, or layers. The wall is built first with the tensioning elements already in place. After the mortar cures fully, the wall is tightened. Steel rods are tensioned by turning nuts against...

cavity drainage and flashings in masonry walls

cavity-drainage-and-flashings-in-masonry-walls

Moisture Control in Masonry Cavity Walls

Masonry cavity walls use a gap between two wythes, or wall layers, to help control moisture. The cavity is usually at least 2 inches wide, and it may contain insulation. Even with insulation, a clear space of at least 1 inch is kept so water can drain away. Some walls also use a continuous drainage mat to reduce the needed space while still moving moisture out. Weep holes are another key part of cavity drainage. These openings sit at the base of the cavity and let collected water escape. They...

thermal insulation in masonry walls

Masonry Wall Insulation Options

Masonry wall insulation can be placed on the outside, inside the wall, or on the interior surface. The best choice depends on the climate, the building design, and whether the wall is being built new or retrofitted. In hot, dry climates, masonry can help smooth indoor temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. In many other climates, extra insulation is needed to improve thermal resistance. One common exterior method is an Exterior Insulation and Finish System, or...

expansion and contraction in masonry walls

expansion-and-contraction-in-masonry-walls

Masonry Wall Joints for Temperature and Moisture

Masonry walls change size slightly as temperature and moisture change. Builders account for this movement so the wall does not crack or shift out of place. Thermal movement is usually easy to measure and plan for. Moisture movement is harder to predict. New clay masonry units often absorb water and expand over time in normal outdoor conditions. New concrete masonry units behave differently. They usually shrink as they lose extra moisture gained during production. These opposite changes make...

movement joints in buildings

How Buildings Handle Structural Movement

Buildings are designed to handle movement from temperature changes, moisture changes, and structural deflection. If these changes are ignored, they can cause visible damage or even unsafe conditions. Movement joints give building materials room to move without creating distress. Working joints are the simplest type. They are placed during construction and help materials cope with change as the building goes up. Shingled roofs and wood bevel siding are common examples because they can move with...

types of building separation joints

Building Joints for Movement and Stability

Building separation joints help large or complex buildings move in a controlled way. They split a structure into smaller, separate units. This reduces stress when the building shifts under different forces. The joints are grouped into three main types: volume-change joints, settlement joints, and seismic separation joints. Volume-change joints handle expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes and moisture changes. They are placed where the building mass has discontinuities,...

efflorescence in masonry

Efflorescence is the white, fluffy crystal layer that can form on masonry walls. It happens when water-soluble salts in brick, stone, concrete, or mortar are dissolved by water and carried to the surface. When the water evaporates, the salts are left behind as a powdery deposit. New efflorescence is often seen soon after construction. In many cases, it can be cleaned with water and a brush. It may also fade over time as rain leaches salts out of the masonry surface. If efflorescence appears...

mortar joint deterioration in masonry

Repairing Damaged Mortar Joints in Masonry

Mortar joints in masonry can break down when water collects in them and freezes. The repeated freezing and thawing makes the water expand and shrink. That process creates cracks in the joints and can spread damage over time. As the mortar worsens, pieces may spall, or break off from the joint surface. Loose masonry units can follow, and the wall becomes weaker. Damaged joints also let moisture move into the wall, which adds to the problem. Good construction helps protect mortar joints. Using...

masonry in cold and hot weather conditions

masonry-in-cold-and-hot-weather-conditions

Protecting Mortar During Weather Changes

Masonry work changes in cold and hot weather because mortar must stay at the right temperature and moisture level. If mortar freezes before it cures, its strength and watertightness can drop. For proper hydration and curing, mortar should stay between 60°F and 80°F. When the weather is below 40°F, the water used for mortar must be heated. The water should not exceed 120°F, because very hot water can reduce compressive strength and bond strength. Masonry units and sand should also stay dry and...

masonry paving

Masonry Paving Materials and Base Layers

Masonry paving uses bricks, stones, and concrete masonry units to create durable walking and driving surfaces. These materials are selected for their shape, color, strength, and resistance to abrasion and weathering. Masonry units can be used in different paving setups depending on the site and the load they must carry. Some paving systems are installed dry on a thin sand layer over a gravel base. Others are set in mortar or asphalt on a concrete slab. For areas with heavy vehicular loads, a...

key terms and concepts

Learn why white salt crystals form on masonry walls, how to clean early efflorescence, and how to prevent it with better drainage and moisture control.

Stopping White Salt Crystals on Masonry | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Civil Engineering provides a foundational exploration of essential construction materials in civil engineering, focusing on bricks, stones, steel, wood, and concrete through easy-to-understand animated videos. This collection covers the properties, manufacturing processes, and practical applications of these materials. Additionally, the accompanied science-in-action videos demonstrate the research experiments performed in laboratories.

civil engineering

Stopping White Salt Crystals on Masonry

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