The sound of rain can be very relaxing or stressful if you have problems with humidity in your home. In addition to being an aesthetic problem, saltpeter on the walls of houses is a problem that can cause structural damage in the long term and pose a risk to our health.
Saltpeter is the deposit of mineral salts that forms when potassium nitrate, which is found in house building materials such as cement or bricks, comes into contact with oxygen and excess moisture.
Mold, moisture and nitric spores can also be dangerous for our health, as they are able to promote the development of respiratory diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis or allergies.
It is very easy to recognize saltpetre: it appears in the form of whitish or gray “crystals” on the walls, ensuring that the color peels off easily.
Removing saltpeter from walls is not an easy task and there are no products that can eliminate it. Below we propose a trick that you can use to curb the problem.
You will need:
- A wire brush
- A bottle of hydrochloric acid
- A brush
- A container of soap and water
- Concrete
- Sealant
- Paint
To remove saltpeter from the walls of your home, do the following:
- Wear a mask, gloves and glasses. With the help of the wire brush, remove all the saltpetre from the walls of the house. Immediately after that, put a glass of hydrochloric acid and three glasses of water in a container and mix with a brush.
- Spread the solution with the brush. Do not be alarmed if you notice a type of foam: this is the result of the action of the acid on the saltpetre. Let the solution stand for 5 to 10 minutes, then rub the wall with soap and water. Rinse and dab with a clean cloth.
- When the wall is completely dry, knead the cement or putty to repair the wall. Allow the material to dry and then apply a sealant against moisture. Allow 24 hours to rest between shifts.
- Finally, it’s time to repaint the wall to restore it to its original appearance.
The trick described above is not always decisive. Sometimes it may be necessary to apply it every two or three years, as saltpeter tends to multiply.
.