How salts affect the vapour permeability of old walls? Key differences between the vapour permeability of salty and non-salty masonries

Abstract

Moisture is one of the main decay factors affecting old buildings. The movement of moisture is often accompanied by the presence of watersoluble salts which can impact the masonry in several ways. Present paper explores the differences in vapour permeability between salty and non-salty masonries, how salts impact both the moisture retention and free evaporation of moisture. It has been found that electrically charged salt ions hinder the free evaporation of moisture, contributing to the retention of moisture inside the masonry.Peer-review under the responsibility of the organizing committee of the ICMB23.