PROTECTING POROUS BUILDING MATERIALS
So, what materials are
porous and why should
they be protected? And,
how can builders capitalise on
it?
Stone, brick, concrete,
paving, tiles and grout are all
porous, having millions of
interconnected capillaries
(microscopic veins) running
though them. Porous materials
act something like a hard
sponge and actually suck
liquids in (see fig. 1).
Figure 1
Glass tube dipped into water.
Water level inside the tube is higher
than surrounding water.
This is capillary suction at work –
with enough power to suck the liquid
up the tube, against gravity.
Even dense materials such as
granite or terracotta will absorb
an oil or water-based liquid
when it is in contact with the
surface for long enough.
Common Types of Damage
Staining – from oil or water-
based substances which
penetrate below the surface of
the material.
Salt attack – efflorescence
and spalling are common types
of salt attack which are
expensive or impossible to fix.
Efflorescence is the unsightly
white residue on the surface in
fig. 2. Salt, dissolved in the
water, is absorbed up through
the material and turns into
tough calcium carbonate
residue on contact with air on
the surface.
In Fig 3 salt, dissolved in
water, has travelled through the
concrete structure, rotting the
reinforcing steel.
Figure 2
Figure 3
Sealing for Lasting
Protection
There are 3 main types of
sealer - topical (surface) sealers,
penetrating sealers and
impregnating sealers:
Topical sealers generally
acrylic or polyurethane based.
Like wood varnish, they form a
coating over the surface, and
tend to be cheaper than
penetrating sealers, but have
disadvantages - Imagine a
plastic film over a floor.
Topical sealers are likely to
noticeably change the
appearance and slip resistance
of the surface, lock in moisture
and wear relatively quickly.
When they wear through, the
entire surface has to be stripped
and resealed.
Penetrating sealers generally
longer lasting than topical
sealers, but vary in
performance. Many penetrating
sealers use fluorocarbons (e.g.
Teflon) or silicone, can work
well and are somewhat
breathable. Penetrating sealers
still have a limited lifespan in
comparison with the surfaces
they are meant to protect, and
to keep performing, the
working molecules may need to
be ‘topped up’ by the use of
special cleaners.
Impregnating sealers - are
generally the longest lasting,
fully breathable – allowing
water vapour to escape and
provide the best protection
without substantially altering
the natural look or slip
resistance of the surface.
The world-leading sealers in
this category have been
developed right here in
Australia by Dry-Treat Pty Ltd,
with extensive warranties up to
30 years. Dry-Treat
impregnating sealers have been
used to protect Australian icons
such as the Opera House,
National Police Memorial, MCG
and Hay St Mall in Perth, and
are specified by the NSW RTA
as well as councils, engineers
and developers across Australia
and more than 30 other
countries.
Protected
WITH STAIN-PROOFTM BY DRY-TREAT PTY LTD
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Hay St Mall, Perth Caption?
Protected
WITH STAIN-PROOFTM BY DRY-TREAT PTY LTD
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Hay St Mall, Perth Caption?
UNIQUE PROPERTIES OF STAIN-PROOF™
• Protects against oil and water-based staining, damage
and salt attack (e.g. efflorescence).
• 15 Year Performance Warranty can be issued, if sealer is
applied by Dry-Treat Accredited Applicator.
• Protects against oil and water-based stains (from
foodstuffs etc) and salt damage (e.g. efflorescence).
• Low cost and easy to maintain – does not require the use
of special cleaners or cleaning methods.
• Slip resistance is hardly altered, as it is not a surface
sealer, but works from within.
FREECALL 1800 675 119
HOW DRY-TREAT IMPREGNATING SEALERS WORK
• Hard, porous building materials (brick, conrete, natural
stone, tiles, pavers) act like sponges, actually sucking
liquids into the pores.
• Dry-Treat impregnating sealers deeply penetrate the material
with special molecules which bond inside the pores. These
molecules change the forces at work so liquids are repelled
instead of being drawn into the material.
• Dry-Treat Pty Ltd is an Australian company leading the
world in sealing technology.
Email
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:: www.drytreat.com