Brick Stone Slate Waterproofing in London

What is Brick Stone Waterproofing?

Brick Stone Waterproofing treatment helps the buildings to breathe. It aids the moisture trapped inside the stonework to evaporate but prevents external moisture from entering the structure. A lot of moisture from rainwater gets absorbed in the stonework through hairline cracks but this can be avoided by using stone waterproofing.

UK’s ageing stone properties are at a greater risk of deterioration which is further aided by the perpetual rainy climate. Stone properties are susceptible to becoming damp and porous in time which helps water to further breach the structure. This can do serious damage to the stonework and cause issues like frost damage, black mould, mortar joints breakdown, efflorescence blown stonework, carbonation damage, and moss. In severe cases, water builds up within the voids and cavities leading to cavity fill water saturation. A single application of the stone waterproofing material is enough to protect new as well as old stonewalls from moisture. The waterproof material enters the structure and keeps the walls dry by repelling external water while letting the internal moisture evaporate.  The brick stone waterproofing method is one of the best ways to protect your sandstone, slate or stone walls.

It is observed that in the long run, atmospheric pollution, storms, and rain can cause some serious damage to buildings. This, in turn, leads to the growth of algae, corrosion, loss of structural strength, damage to the woodwork, and lichen etc. All these issues require an immediate and effective solution. If your home is already affected by penetrating damp or if you are looking to prevent the risk, we would recommend using good quality and verified waterproofing material on your brick walls.

Houses can be built using granite, bricks, cob and even slate which is a mix of sand, straw, and clay but all of them can be secured similarly. If you are not sure about the suitability of the waterproofing material for your home, we advise getting in touch with a technical advisor. It is possible that some substrates, which are water impermeable, might not totally absorb the active ingredients. This can be checked by applying a tiny portion of the waterproof material to a small part of the wall. There are two products obtainable for waterproofing a stone or brick wall.x

Water repellent creams and sealants for unpainted brickwork

In cases where the bricks are exposed or there is unpainted render, one coat of Remmers’ Funcosil Façade Cream or Microshield Ultra can be applied to shield the wall from mould and water penetration for nearly 30 years.

If you are looking for a cheaper substitute to Funcosil Façade Cream or Microshield Ultra, then you can opt for Microshield Masonry Water Repellent. It is a water-based repellent and can last for nearly 15 years. It is vital to ensure that the structure is in suitable condition and is not painted before application of the liquid based repellent. All defects like rising damp, hygroscopic salts, cracks, broken joints and defective connections along with bridged DPCs should be fixed in advance.

How to apply the water repelling masonry cream?

The water repellent product can be applied to the unpainted brick wall with the help of a roller or a brush.

How to waterproof cracked & painted walls

It is recommended that Elastoflex Waterproof paint is used on walls which are either treated, painted or suffer from cracked brickwork.

Water repellent paint

Remmers Elastoflex Waterproof paint is easy to apply and highly impermeable. This paint does not possess a creamy consistency but works wonders on bridging cracks. It is a suitable waterproofing treatment for walls which are either treated or cracked and also avoids expenditure on removing old layers.

How Elastoflex works

Elastoflex consists of silicone resin and each elastic coating includes a preservative film which helps in bridging gaps. Three coats of Elastoflex can easily repair cracks up to 0.3mm. It is advised that this paint be used only for outdoor surfaces as it cures in UV light.

How to apply Elastoflex?

Before applying Elastoflex, it is important to ensure that the surface is dry and any old coatings and moss or algae are removed. Further, ascertain if the size of the cracks is less than 0.3 millimetre as all bigger cracks would need mending before applying the paint. Next, a primer should be applied and left to dry. Once dry, Elastoflex Waterproof paint can be applied with a brush or a roller. Three coats of the paint should effectively bridge any small cracks and a gap of 12 hrs should be provided between each coat.

It is advised that professional services are used for any kind of waterproofing work. You can contact our specialist stonemason consultants to help decide the right waterproofing treatment for your home. We assure you total satisfaction using Southern Damp Proofing’s reputed stonemason techniques and modern practices.

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