Is efflorescence the same as saltpeter?
Treating saltpeter efflorescence before it causes serious damage. Have you noticed white marks on the walls in your basement or on the first floor of your home? These unsightly marks are most likely saltpeter, a mineral compound that can be hazardous for your health.
What does saltpeter treat?
Saltpeter is a common food preservative and additive, fertilizer, and oxidizer for fireworks and rockets. It is one of the principal ingredients in gunpowder. Potassium nitrate is used to treat asthma and in topical formulations for sensitive teeth. It was once a popular medication for lowering blood pressure.
What are the uses of saltpeter in the ancient times?
Overview. Many years ago people used saltpeter to cure meat. It was discovered that saltpeter or potassium nitrate do not directly contribute to meat curing.
What is saltpeter wall?
Saltpetre on walls is that kind of capillary damp which appears in the form of whitish stains, resulting from deposits of crystallised salts emerging to the surface. The reason it usually appears on façades and walls is because a building has damp problems from the subsoil.
Can saltpetre harm you?
It was also once used to cure meats. Although it has a reputation for lowering libido, this is a myth. Potassium nitrate can be dangerous if consumed. It can cause kidney damage or anemia, as well as headaches and digestive distress.
What is another name for saltpetre?
saltpetre, also spelled Saltpeter, also called Nitre, or Niter, any of three naturally occurring nitrates, distinguished as (1) ordinary saltpetre, or potassium nitrate, KNO3; (2) Chile saltpetre, cubic nitre, or sodium nitrate, NaNO3; and (3) lime saltpetre, wall saltpetre, or calcium nitrate, Ca(NO3)2.
How do you treat salty walls?
Therefore, the first line of treatment should be to brush the walls with a stiff brush and rid most of the white of it. This can be followed up with water pressure cleaning to dislodge residual salt from the walls.
How do you stop concrete efflorescence?
Simply sealing concrete from water penetration (using a penetrating sealer) will help prevent efflorescence. V-SEAL creates an incredible water barrier for brick, mortar, and all forms of concrete. To help prevent efflorescence, V-SEAL should be sprayed anywhere brick, mortar or cement will be exposed to water.
Does baking soda get rid of efflorescence?
Dilution of these acids before using them is a must and be sure to always wear the required personal protection equipment (PPE). If this option is used to remove the efflorescence, baking soda or any other similar alkaline product needs to be applied to the area, to neutralise the acidity on the concrete surface.
Is saltpeter good for curing and pickling?
However, the well-established application of saltpeter is that this salt is used commercially in the curing and pickling process. But make sure to add only a little quantity of saltpeter or its alternative. A salt like potassium nitrate can be good for curing and pickling, but there are also a few precautions you should keep in mind when using it.
Can you use saltpeter for curing meat?
This intense curing salt helps you follow a recipe easily. You don’t have to cook meat for hours for it to soften. You can save a great deal of time by using saltpeter. However, the well-established application of saltpeter is that this salt is used commercially in the curing and pickling process.
What is the best way to cure concrete?
One of the most common methods for curing concrete is to hose it down frequently with water—five to 10 times per day, or as often as you can—for the first seven days. Known as “moist curing,” this allows the moisture in the concrete to evaporate slowly. Moist-cured concrete can be up to 50 percent stronger than concrete
How to remove saltpeter from walls?
Using detergent or soap may help with the cleaning process. If the saltpeter is truly encrusted and doesn’t come off with brushing, you can use a scraper or sander to remove it. Rinse the wall afterwards with clean water. 3. Wash the wall with hydrochloric acid Hydrochloric acid can be purchased at the hardware store.