Assessment of Wall Salinity in the Selection of Renovation Plaster Systems

Abstract

This article presents issues related to assessing the degree of wall salinity to select plaster systems for renovations of damp building walls. The most commonly used salt concentration tests pose many difficulties. If used uncritically, they risk failing to select the right system or its incorrect make. The accuracy of the colorimetric method for testing chloride, nitrate, and sulphate content was analysed to exemplify the magnitude of the problem. Both multi-salt solutions of known concentrations and unknown composition extracted from drillings in the walls of a historical facility were examined. A comparative methodology using ion chromatography as a standard was employed in the research. The analytical methods and the selected modules of the „Statistica” software were used to analyse data and present the results. The colorimetric method has been shown to distort salt concentration values, posing a risk of unsuccessful repair work on high-salinity walls. A method for determining the correction reducing the measurement error has been proposed. The factors affecting the error were also mentioned. Attention has also been drawn to the resolution and application of a method with a correct concentration range intended to improve work efficiency and optimize the costs incurred in renovating the salty wall.