Rainwater penetration of the outer skin of a building is not only unsightly but can cause serious deterioration of the building substrate as well as causing considerable damage to interior surfaces. A wet wall is also something that will affect the thermal properties of a building. Simply put, a dry wall is a warm wall. When walls retain more heat, houses stay warmer for longer. This reduces the reliance on heating, which leads to lowered energy bills and reduced household carbon footprints.
In areas where there is considerable frost, water accumulating in the substrate will turn to ice and cause serious spalling of brickwork and concrete. Wet walls are also serious health hazards as they provide a perfect growing medium for fungus and mould.
For many years, exterior stone and brickwork surfaces have been treated with a variety of products to prevent water ingress. Some have sealed the exterior by blocking the pores – varnishes etc. But this can be counter-productive as it does not allow the building to “breathe” – releasing humidity build-up within the building.
Various liquid-based products containing silanes and siloxanes have been used successfully for several decades. These have been either solvent or water-based products which have prevented moisture ingress whilst still allowing the escape of water vapour from the interior of the building. These products, however, simply lined the exterior building surface and were affected by UV attack requiring them to be re-applied every 2-3 years.
Using the same technology as its famous Dryzone Cream, Safeguard Europe developed a cream-based water repellent also containing the same silanes and siloxanes. This cream, applied by brush in one coat, penetrates the surface of the substrate to a depth of 2-3cm making it totally unaffected by UV with its effectiveness being warranted for 25 years. Whilst the cream is white in colour, it is soon absorbed by the substrate and once cured has no visible effect on the original appearance of the substrate. Storm Dry, as it is called, is highly effective in protecting coastal properties not just against water ingress but also the effects of airborne salts.
The cream based consistency of Stormdry eases the application of the product. Treated and untreated areas can easily be identified, while splashing and spillages are avoided due to the thick consistency.
Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream has been scientifically proven to improve the thermal performance of solid and cavity walls by keeping water out. It is the most extensively tested waterproofing brick cream on the market. Extensive tests by Lucideon, a highly recognized materials science consultancy, as well as multiple reports commissioned by the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have found that Stormdry protects insulation and reduces heat loss.
