Penetrating Damp
Moisture penetration is the main cause of damage to masonry building materials.
When it comes to building protection, an effective treatment should be a
treatment that stops moisture penetration whilst still allowing water vapour to
pass through. Most masonry building materials are permeable. Such permeable
structures allow water vapour to be transmitted, but also allow liquid water to
penetrate through natural capillary absorption.
By adding a water repellent admixture directly into masonry materials such as concrete, mortar, render, stabilised earth, rammed earth and coatings, water resistance of the building materials can be significantly improved.
Most masonry building materials are permeable. Such permeable structures allow water vapour to be transmitted, but also allow liquid water to penetrate through natural capillary absorption.
Water is the main cause of deterioration of masonry building materials. Some problems that can arise due to water penetration are:
- Rising damp
- Moisture penetration
- Dampness through shower or bathroom walls
- Efflorescence on external walls
- Stains
- Fungi or algae growth
- Concrete corrosion
- Loss of thermal insulation
Surface coatings or membranes can stop water penetration by forming a continuous film to block the open capillaries of the masonry materials. However, surface coatings or membranes are not an ideal method to protect masonry from penetrating damp. Surface coatings can stop water vapour transmission resulting in wet walls from condensation of water vapour within the capillaries. Water may also still penetrate into the masonry through hairline cracks in the coating film.
Surface coatings also cannot stop rising damp. Surface coatings have a limited lifetime due to natural deterioration of the coatings film. They can also change the surface appearance of masonry building materials.
The ideal method to stop water penetration into masonry while still allowing water vapour transfer is to treat the wall with a water repellent impregnant. Water repellent impregnants can penetrate the masonry capillaries forming a water repellent barrier a few millimetres deep near the surface of the masonry. This will stop water penetration without blocking the capillaries. Water repellent impregnants will not change the surface appearance. The water repellent permanently bonds to the masonry via chemical bonding resulting in a durable water repellent barrier within the masonry. Durability of a water repellent treatment is much longer than a surface coating.
What is penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp is any form of moisture penetrating into or through a masonry structure, either laterally or vertically. This moisture can be in the form of rain or other sources of water such as broken pipes and guttering, inadequate drainage, and misdirected irrigation systems.
What damage can penetrating damp cause?
Internally, penetrating damp can cause paint and plaster to peel, timber floor boards and window frames to rot, mould to grow, and also cause efflorescence and crumbling mortar on external walls.
Can penetrating damp affect any building materials?
Penetrating damp can affect any permeable surfaces such as concrete, clay, stone and wood.
How frequently would the Tech-Dry sealers need to be reapplied?
Tech-Dry penetrating sealers will provide protection for a minimum of 3-5 years before reapplication is required. However, the overall lifetime of the sealer may vary depending on the substrate type, degree of traffic and climatic conditions.
What condition should the surface be in before applying a Tech-Dry sealer?
The surface must be clean, dry, and free of any dirt, mould and grime. The surface should be cleaned with water and mild household detergent for stubborn stains, a diluted bleach solution may also be used. Efflorescence staining may require a light acid wash and NO MORE STAINS should be used to remove any organic stains.
Will Tech-Dry sealers change the colour of my pavers or make them slippery when wet?
Generally there is no change in appearance, however on some coloured surfaces there may be a very slight darkening. A small test area is recommended prior to application. All Tech-Dry sealers are penetrating; hence there is no film or coating present after application. This results in the surface not being slippery when becoming wet.
Where can I apply Tech-Dry sealers?
Tech-Dry sealers can be applied to an extensive range of building materials such as concrete, clay brick and natural stone. Please see WHERE SEALERS WORK for an easy to follow product guide to choosing the most suitable sealer for your surface.
I have damp walls in my basement. How can I fix it?
Dampness in basement walls arises from the lateral movement of moisture originating from high earth or path levels. For the best results, a durable surface membrane should be applied to the external wall surface, accompanied with crushed rock and an adequate sub-ground drainage system. If this is not feasible, then a water resistant cement render may be applied to the internal wall surface. This render should incorporate a water repellent admixture (SALT RETARDER) to restrict any water penetration through the render.
The pavers around my pool are starting to crumble, can any of the Tech-Dry sealers protect my pavers from further deterioration?
Yes. PROTECTACRETE SB is a clear penetrating water repellent sealer that will protect concrete and natural stone pavers against any chlorine or salt attack.
How do I stop penetrating damp from damaging my home?
Firstly you would need to identify the source of dampness, and then take measures to repair any building defects. This may include repairing any leaking downpipes or guttering, lowering high ground levels and improving sub-floor ventilation. Any permeable masonry surfaces prone to water penetration can then be protected by one of many Tech-Dry sealers.
By adding a water repellent admixture directly into masonry materials such as concrete, mortar, render, stabilised earth, rammed earth and coatings, water resistance of the building materials can be significantly improved.
Most masonry building materials are permeable. Such permeable structures allow water vapour to be transmitted, but also allow liquid water to penetrate through natural capillary absorption.
Water is the main cause of deterioration of masonry building materials. Some problems that can arise due to water penetration are:
- Rising damp
- Moisture penetration
- Dampness through shower or bathroom walls
- Efflorescence on external walls
- Stains
- Fungi or algae growth
- Concrete corrosion
- Loss of thermal insulation
Surface coatings or membranes can stop water penetration by forming a continuous film to block the open capillaries of the masonry materials. However, surface coatings or membranes are not an ideal method to protect masonry from penetrating damp. Surface coatings can stop water vapour transmission resulting in wet walls from condensation of water vapour within the capillaries. Water may also still penetrate into the masonry through hairline cracks in the coating film.
Surface coatings also cannot stop rising damp. Surface coatings have a limited lifetime due to natural deterioration of the coatings film. They can also change the surface appearance of masonry building materials.
The ideal method to stop water penetration into masonry while still allowing water vapour transfer is to treat the wall with a water repellent impregnant. Water repellent impregnants can penetrate the masonry capillaries forming a water repellent barrier a few millimetres deep near the surface of the masonry. This will stop water penetration without blocking the capillaries. Water repellent impregnants will not change the surface appearance. The water repellent permanently bonds to the masonry via chemical bonding resulting in a durable water repellent barrier within the masonry. Durability of a water repellent treatment is much longer than a surface coating.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is penetrating damp?
Penetrating damp is any form of moisture penetrating into or through a masonry structure, either laterally or vertically. This moisture can be in the form of rain or other sources of water such as broken pipes and guttering, inadequate drainage, and misdirected irrigation systems.
What damage can penetrating damp cause?
Internally, penetrating damp can cause paint and plaster to peel, timber floor boards and window frames to rot, mould to grow, and also cause efflorescence and crumbling mortar on external walls.
Can penetrating damp affect any building materials?
Penetrating damp can affect any permeable surfaces such as concrete, clay, stone and wood.
How frequently would the Tech-Dry sealers need to be reapplied?
Tech-Dry penetrating sealers will provide protection for a minimum of 3-5 years before reapplication is required. However, the overall lifetime of the sealer may vary depending on the substrate type, degree of traffic and climatic conditions.
What condition should the surface be in before applying a Tech-Dry sealer?
The surface must be clean, dry, and free of any dirt, mould and grime. The surface should be cleaned with water and mild household detergent for stubborn stains, a diluted bleach solution may also be used. Efflorescence staining may require a light acid wash and NO MORE STAINS should be used to remove any organic stains.
Will Tech-Dry sealers change the colour of my pavers or make them slippery when wet?
Generally there is no change in appearance, however on some coloured surfaces there may be a very slight darkening. A small test area is recommended prior to application. All Tech-Dry sealers are penetrating; hence there is no film or coating present after application. This results in the surface not being slippery when becoming wet.
Where can I apply Tech-Dry sealers?
Tech-Dry sealers can be applied to an extensive range of building materials such as concrete, clay brick and natural stone. Please see WHERE SEALERS WORK for an easy to follow product guide to choosing the most suitable sealer for your surface.
I have damp walls in my basement. How can I fix it?
Dampness in basement walls arises from the lateral movement of moisture originating from high earth or path levels. For the best results, a durable surface membrane should be applied to the external wall surface, accompanied with crushed rock and an adequate sub-ground drainage system. If this is not feasible, then a water resistant cement render may be applied to the internal wall surface. This render should incorporate a water repellent admixture (SALT RETARDER) to restrict any water penetration through the render.
The pavers around my pool are starting to crumble, can any of the Tech-Dry sealers protect my pavers from further deterioration?
Yes. PROTECTACRETE SB is a clear penetrating water repellent sealer that will protect concrete and natural stone pavers against any chlorine or salt attack.
How do I stop penetrating damp from damaging my home?
Firstly you would need to identify the source of dampness, and then take measures to repair any building defects. This may include repairing any leaking downpipes or guttering, lowering high ground levels and improving sub-floor ventilation. Any permeable masonry surfaces prone to water penetration can then be protected by one of many Tech-Dry sealers.