Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream
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Certificate 15/5198 |
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Stormdry is a colourless [1], breathable, water-repellent cream emulsion for brick, concrete and stone [2] walls. Apply Stormdry to exterior walls in a single coat that permeates deeply before curing to form a water-repellent barrier. Apply with a brush or roller. BBA approved for at least 25 years lifetime.
Typical Stormdry applications include:
- Penetrating damp (rain penetration) protection
- Improving the thermal resistance of masonry by keeping it dry
- Improving the performance of cavity wall insulation by protecting it from moisture
- Improving masonry flood resistance
Breathable and long-lasting
Stormdry Cream is formulated with a silane/siloxane mix which line masonry pores to form a water-repellent silicone matrix. It works by lining the pores instead of blocking them to allow masonry to breathe. This also decreases the chances of frost damage (spalling). Stormdry Cream soaks deeply into brick, making it resistant to UV light and other forms of degradation.
Deeply penetrating
Stormdry penetrates much deeper into masonry than traditional liquid-applied masonry water repellents. As well as increasing life expectancy this also improves Stormdry’s crack-bridging ability. As the diagram to the right shows, Stormdry provides water repellency beyond the depth of small cracks.
Larger cracks will still need to be filled as part of the Stormdry treatment. Mortar lines may need to be repointed with a sand/cement or sand/lime mix incorporating Stormdry Repointing Additive.
Scientifically-proven efficacy
Stormdry has been tested to BS EN ISO 15148:2002 (E); demonstrating its effectiveness on concrete, mortar, brick, and sandstone. The graph below shows that the water uptake for Stormdry treated samples was considerably lower than for untreated samples:
As Stormdry is formulated to penetrate deeply into masonry it can take up to two months after application for a noticeable “beading effect” to appear when rainfall strikes the wall. However, Stormdry is resistant to rain after just 12 hours.
Improving masonry’s thermal performance
Improving the thermal resistance of walls through the use of conventional insulation is not always practical – particularly where older buildings are concerned. Many homes and commercial properties in the UK are built using single-skin walls, and so are unsuitable for cavity wall insulation. The installation of internal insulation can be disruptive and takes up valuable living space whilst externally applied insulation is often unattractive.
Stormdry offers the solution. It is a well-known fact that porous masonry materials such as brick, stone, concrete, and mortar are worse insulators when they are wet. Stormdry ensures that the insulation properties of the masonry are maximised throughout the year by preventing water absorption.
Tests carried out using Stormdry at the University of Portsmouth and subsequent SAP analysis showed reductions in solid wall thermal conductivity when Stormdry was applied. This has been verified in an independent report carried out by Giraffe Innovation: environmental consultants.
Improving masonry flood resistance
Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream can be used in conjunction with Stormdry Repointing Additive No.2 and Stormdry FD-Coat Flood Defence Coating to increase the flood resistance of masonry as part of a flood resilience system.
Stormdry products are included in the flood resilience specifications detailed in the Safeguard Flood Resilience Guide. The guide gives an overview of the options available to property owners for repairing and protecting structures against flood damage. Click here to download it for free.
How to apply Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream
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Remove any loose mortar or dust using a masonry brush. Apply SoluGuard Multi-Surface Biocide when biological growth such as moss, algae or lichen needs to be removed.
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Stormdry Cream can be applied by brush around details such as windows. Care should be taken to ensure that Stormdry Cream does not drop onto glass, paintwork, plants, etc. Any splashes should be cleaned with warm soapy water.
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Large areas can be covered at speed using a medium-pile paint roller. Stormdry Cream can also be applied by electric roller or airless spray – contact our technical department for details.
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Check for any awkward areas that have not been treated (e.g. voids in brickwork, deep mortar beds). Apply Stormdry Cream to these sections using a brush.
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Stormdry Cream goes on white – making it easy to tell which areas have been treated.
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Stormdry immediately starts to penetrate into masonry. The whiteness fades 15–20 minutes after application.
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After 24–48 hours the wall returns to its original appearance.
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It may take up to two months after application for a noticeable “beading effect” to appear when rainfall strikes the wall. Masonry walls are resistant to light rain after two to four hours.
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Use a Stormdry Gauge to demonstrate treatment efficacy. This test should be carried out at least 28 days after applying Stormdry to allow the comparison of water absorption before and after treatment.
More information
Further information about Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream and related products can be found on the Stormdry website, www.stormdry.com. Alternatively click the links below to be taken to specific pages:
[1] Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream may cause some slight darkening to certain substrates. This usually fades over time. Always apply on a small, representative and inconspicuous test area before full treatment begins.
[2] Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream is not suitable for use on pure limestone (e.g. Portland Stone). Please contact our technical department on 01403 210204 or submit an enquiry for information on water-repellent treatments for limestone.