Rilem Vertical Tube

Used for comparative testing such as:

• Before and after surface treatments
• Comparing surface porosity at an area with interior moisture problems compared to an area without interior moisture problems
• Comparing an area with surface efflorescence to a similar surface without efflorescence
• Comparing porosity of building units to the porosity of the mortar joints, etc.

The measurement achieved by this Rilem Testing does not indicate a positive or negative condition but rather the rate of absorption at a specific location. Material that easily absorbs moisture typically allows for easy desorption. If rapid moisture absorption were a negative, none of the low fired soft brick structures with arcane lime mortars would still be standing. The viability and possible deterioration of a material is a more complex process and well beyond the simple fact of available moisture. In historic preservation, the Rilem Tube test is typically used to show that surface porosity is not the problem.