Wet-attached natural stone floors and walls can develop a phenomenon known as "efflorescence" during installation. Initially, the stone blocks may appear to have "watermarks." As the mortar dries and hardens, these marks may shrink or even disappear. However, over time—especially in areas prone to frequent rain or damp conditions—the moisture can penetrate through the stone, slate, or wall roots, causing the "watermarks" to expand and merge between the joints. This leads to discoloration, reduced gloss, and the formation of white crystalline deposits at the seams, which can persist for years. This unsightly issue is commonly referred to as the "pan-alkali" effect.
Cause Analysis
Natural stone has relatively large crystal structures with numerous tiny capillaries that are not visible to the naked eye. For example, granite typically has a porosity of 0.5% to 1.5%, while marble ranges from 0.5% to 2.0%. These pores make natural stone less impermeable compared to standard cement mortar. Even though granite has a low water absorption rate (0.2% to 1.7%), water can still seep through the capillaries on the other side. This characteristic, combined with the presence of capillary spaces, allows water, alkalis, and salts from the bonding material to infiltrate the stone.
The binding materials used in construction, such as cement, release substances like alkalis and salts. These compounds can enter the stone’s capillaries and cause efflorescence. Calcium hydroxide, for instance, can be carried by excess mixing water into the stone through its capillaries. The more water used in the mix, the more calcium hydroxide is transported to the surface. Once the water evaporates, this compound accumulates within the stone, forming the visible white deposits. Water acts as both a solvent and a carrier for these efflorescent materials.
Main Causes of Water Infiltration into Stone Surfaces:
- Seams are often filled with cement-based mortar, which offers limited waterproofing protection.
- Surface water can easily penetrate the stone, especially if it's not properly sealed.
- Excessive water is sometimes used during installation, leading to moisture penetration and the dissolution of calcium hydroxide and other salts into the stone’s capillaries, resulting in pan-alkali formation.
Prevention and Remediation Strategies
Once efflorescence appears on natural stone surfaces, it indicates that soluble alkalis or salts have already penetrated deep into the stone via capillary action. At this stage, removal is challenging and often only partially effective. Therefore, the best approach is prevention. However, if efflorescence has already occurred, the following steps should be taken:
- Act quickly to fully seal the joints and the stone surface to prevent further water intrusion, which could worsen the pan-alkali effect.
- Use commercial stone-specific efflorescence cleaners available on the market. These are typically clear, translucent liquids containing non-ionic surfactants and solvents. While they may help clean some types of natural stone, it’s essential to test them on a small area first to ensure compatibility and effectiveness before full application.
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