Rain Penetration Through Masonry (Penetrating Damp)
Rain penetration into masonry (penetrating damp) can occur in buildings of all ages. At its most obvious, it penetrates right through the wall and is visible as a damp patch on the internal wall. However, rainwater penetration can be damaging to a property, even if it does not penetrate all the way through a wall. For example, moss growth, increased heat loss, and frost damage can be caused by rain penetration into masonry.
Safeguard's Raindance and Raincheck Plus products are designed to eliminate problems arising from rainwater penetration into masonry. They impart water-repellency to masonry without affecting the finish of the substrate (though some slight darkening may occur).
These types of water-repellents work by lining the pores in the masonry. This allows the wall to "breathe," but means that they will only waterproof cracks of up to 0.3mm. Their efficacy will also be limited in very exposed locations with a high incidence of wind-driven rain. In such circumstances, the use of Oldroyd-P Plaster Membrane should be considered.
Raindance and Raincheck Plus water-repellents can be applied by brush or spray. Raindance has the advantage of being water-based. However, it should not be used on alkali substrates, such as fresh render, where the solvent-based Raincheck Plus should be used instead.
Where a rendered finish is required, Oldroyd-P Plaster Membrane can be used to treat penetrating damp. The membrane can be fixed to the affected wall using the special Oldroyd Plaster Plugs. The mesh on the membrane can then be rendered directly on to.
Using Oldroyd-P Plaster Membrane in this way has the advantage of being able to resist even wind-driven rain in exposed areas. The "air gap" created by the studs allows the wall to breathe.
Safeguard currently offer the following RIBA-Approved CPD Seminars free-of-charge to architects and specifiers on the UK mainland:
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