The humidity of the walls by water absorption by permeation, also called meteoric humidity, depends essentially on the porosity of the material
of which the masonry is composed and the presence and diffusion of any discontinuities on it.
In this case, the infiltrations generally come from atmospheric precipitations: rain, snow that penetrate the walls through cracks and micro-cracks in the plaster, damaged repointing brickworks, metal and wooden carpentry, door and window frames embedded in the masonry, etc.
The walls frequently exposed to rain can easily moisten and saturate, especially in the presence of the pressure exerted by the wind which can facilitate the penetration of moisture into the wall fabrics.
In general, the effects of pouring rain are closely related to the morphology of the buildings and can be accentuated in the presence of any local defects in the external envelope. In fact, the plaster does not only have the function of ensuring a uniform coverage of the building, but also the fundamental one, of guaranteeing protection from the effects of pouring rain and meteoric agents in general. In the case of porous materials, the protective function of the plaster is fundamental.
For particularly exposed walls, water-repellent plasters and/or aids capable of inhibiting the transport of water are recommended. In any case, the plasters must be able to guarantee a sufficient exchange of steam between the internal part of the wall and the external environment.
The thermal properties (insulation), the influences on condensation processes, damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles, as well as the overall durability of the building itself also depend on the penetration of water into the masonry. The phenomena of degradation of bodies and masonry envelopes are in fact closely connected with the possibility of aggressive substances to penetrate the masonry.
Products and technologies to use
The problems deriving from the permeation humidity can be solved by sealing the existing cracks, with putties, filler products and polymeric sealants and by applying water-repellent (transparent or pigmented) treatments and/or paints (or renders).
Sanaxil Filler
Crack-bridging primer based on silica aggregates of different particle sizes, potassium silicate, nylon microfibres and specific agents, combined in a special formulation designed to ensure water impermeability, water repellency and vapour permeability. Specifically intended for the remediation of internal and external vertical surfaces characterised by significant shrinkage cracking (including cracks up to 1 mm wide), and for general homogeneous surface levelling. It can also be used as a primer to obtain a rustic finish effect. Particularly suitable for crack remediation in historic buildings.
Sanaxil Filler
Crack-bridging primer based on silica aggregates of different particle sizes, potassium silicate, nylon microfibres and specific agents, combined in a special formulation designed to ensure water impermeability, water repellency and vapour permeability. Specifically intended for the remediation of internal and external vertical surfaces characterised by significant shrinkage cracking (including cracks up to 1 mm wide), and for general homogeneous surface levelling. It can also be used as a primer to obtain a rustic finish effect. Particularly suitable for crack remediation in historic buildings.
Fibrostuck
White adhesive filler for filling and levelling cracks, fissures and minor surface irregularities in renders and façades, also in combination with Sanaxil Filler.
Fibrostuck
White adhesive filler for filling and levelling cracks, fissures and minor surface irregularities in renders and façades, also in combination with Sanaxil Filler.
Sanazieg
Highly breathable and workable adhesive mortar based on hydraulic lime and microsilica with pozzolanic reactivity, for filling joints between stone elements, bricks, mouldings, decorative artefacts, etc., in green building applications, new construction and the restoration of period and monumental buildings. It can be mixed with colouring earths, decorative aggregates, etc.
Sanazieg
Highly breathable and workable adhesive mortar based on hydraulic lime and microsilica with pozzolanic reactivity, for filling joints between stone elements, bricks, mouldings, decorative artefacts, etc., in green building applications, new construction and the restoration of period and monumental buildings. It can be mixed with colouring earths, decorative aggregates, etc.
Protech Flex
One-component, moisture-curing polyurethane sealant, fast-curing, with medium/high elastic modulus, permanently elastic, featuring high surface hardness, tear resistance and weather resistance, paintable. Ideal for flexible sealing of expansion joints on terraces and balconies, and for filling joints in prefabricated wall panels and structures made of wood, steel, aluminium, copper, plastics, plaster, etc.
Protech Flex
One-component, moisture-curing polyurethane sealant, fast-curing, with medium/high elastic modulus, permanently elastic, featuring high surface hardness, tear resistance and weather resistance, paintable. Ideal for flexible sealing of expansion joints on terraces and balconies, and for filling joints in prefabricated wall panels and structures made of wood, steel, aluminium, copper, plastics, plaster, etc.
Consilex Altrain
Colourless, non-film-forming water-repellent impregnating agent based on silanes and siloxanes in solvent. It protects renders, mortars, natural stone, tuff and other construction materials from the chemical and mechanical action of rainfall, freeze/thaw cycles, atmospheric pollutants and aggressive agents. From a functional standpoint, the pores and capillaries of treated materials are internally coated but not filled; therefore, no surface films are deposited, no colour changes occur, the appearance of the surfaces remains unaltered and the original water-vapour permeability is maintained. These characteristics, together with good chemical stability (against oxygen, UV radiation and pollutants) and the complete absence of harmful by-products, make the product suitable for application on various substrates, including works on historically and artistically valuable structures.
Consilex Altrain
Colourless, non-film-forming water-repellent impregnating agent based on silanes and siloxanes in solvent. It protects renders, mortars, natural stone, tuff and other construction materials from the chemical and mechanical action of rainfall, freeze/thaw cycles, atmospheric pollutants and aggressive agents. From a functional standpoint, the pores and capillaries of treated materials are internally coated but not filled; therefore, no surface films are deposited, no colour changes occur, the appearance of the surfaces remains unaltered and the original water-vapour permeability is maintained. These characteristics, together with good chemical stability (against oxygen, UV radiation and pollutants) and the complete absence of harmful by-products, make the product suitable for application on various substrates, including works on historically and artistically valuable structures.
Consilex Altrain WV
Water-based nano-dispersion of reactive amino-functional silanes and siloxanes. Colourless, non-film-forming water-repellent impregnating agent that protects plasters, cementitious systems, natural stone, tuff, etc. from weathering, freeze-thaw cycles and atmospheric pollutants. It does not alter the colour of the substrate or modify its original appearance and breathability.
Consilex Altrain WV
Water-based nano-dispersion of reactive amino-functional silanes and siloxanes. Colourless, non-film-forming water-repellent impregnating agent that protects plasters, cementitious systems, natural stone, tuff, etc. from weathering, freeze-thaw cycles and atmospheric pollutants. It does not alter the colour of the substrate or modify its original appearance and breathability.
Protech Sil P
Pigmented, water-repellent and breathable paint based on siloxane resins in aqueous dispersion, for the painting and remediation of civil and industrial buildings, both new and existing, for external façades and interior environments. Recommended as a breathable, water-repellent protective finish for macroporous dehumidifying renders (Sanatigh, Sanawarme, Caleosana).
Protech Sil P
Pigmented, water-repellent and breathable paint based on siloxane resins in aqueous dispersion, for the painting and remediation of civil and industrial buildings, both new and existing, for external façades and interior environments. Recommended as a breathable, water-repellent protective finish for macroporous dehumidifying renders (Sanatigh, Sanawarme, Caleosana).
Protech Sil I
Water-repellent, vapour-permeable, pigmented, ready-to-use textured finish based on water-dispersed siloxane resins. Ideal for water- and weather-resistant protective finishes in renovation works, both on external façades and in interior spaces, in civil and industrial buildings, as well as in new construction.
Protech Sil I
Water-repellent, vapour-permeable, pigmented, ready-to-use textured finish based on water-dispersed siloxane resins. Ideal for water- and weather-resistant protective finishes in renovation works, both on external façades and in interior spaces, in civil and industrial buildings, as well as in new construction.