An important characteristic of the wall material: are aerated concrete blocks afraid of moisture??

Because of their lightweight design and ability to insulate against heat, aerated concrete blocks are becoming more and more common in construction. They are made of water, sand, cement, and lime, and an expanding agent is added to the mixture to create tiny air bubbles. They are extremely porous due to their composition, which also helps them to have good thermal efficiency and sound insulation qualities.

A major issue that is frequently brought up regarding aerated concrete blocks is their moisture susceptibility. These blocks are porous, but when installed properly, they are meant to manage moisture well. Using the right finishing and sealing methods when building is essential to reducing the risk of any possible moisture problems.

It’s critical to realize that aerated concrete blocks don’t naturally fear moisture. Rather, a lot of what determines how well they work is how well they are installed and then treated. Over time, they may degrade if they are exposed to extended moisture without sufficient protection, like paints or coatings that are waterproof.

What is moisture resistance?

The ability of aerated concrete blocks to withstand the damaging effects of moisture is known as moisture resistance. When the building material alternates between being wet and dry, this parameter manifests.

Aerated concrete blocks have a high level of moisture resistance despite being porous. They get wet to a maximum depth of 20 mm even in torrential rain. The reason for the small capillary suction is that air bubbles obstruct the flow of moisture. They stop too much water from penetrating the material’s deep structures.

Why you need to know it?

The longevity of the building is determined by the aerated concrete blocks’ level of moisture resistance, making it a crucial parameter. The materials used to build a wall will expand and contract as a result of the uneven moisture resistance of the materials. A house, barn, or other structure will consequently become weaker and start to crumble, warp, or crack.

A building material’s moisture resistance indicators and thermal insulation qualities are directly correlated. The belief that a wet gas block retains heat in a room worse may come up.

Since the material only gets wet from the outside of the building, a small decrease in this parameter is possible, but you won’t be able to feel it.

Another benefit of aerated blocks is that they dry easily, meaning they can absorb moisture and release it almost instantly.

Counseling! It is advised to complete a house constructed of aerated concrete blocks before the arrival of cold weather if it was constructed in the winter. In the event that external finishing is not feasible, insulating material ought to be applied to the walls. Door and window openings, as well as the basement on the exterior wall’s side, require special attention.

Water resistance level

Aerated blocks can be used to construct a variety of buildings due to their low hygroscopicity. This indicates that the substance is not frightened of water. She simply isn’t able to penetrate that far into the block to destroy it. Internal air pressure keeps it from happening.

In circumstances of elevated dampness, the maximum fluid absorption does not surpass 10–20 mm. Gas blocks will promptly release all of the earlier-absorbed material into the surrounding air as soon as the humidity level stabilizes.

Water does not destroy the gas block or change its functional characteristics. Its structural transformation is contingent upon the internal fluid freezing. There is no elevated air humidity in homes built from gas blocks (subject to all construction technologies).

According to GOST, the gas block’s sorption moisture content is 4-5% at a 60% air humidity level. For any building material, some water will naturally absorb and then leave the material. The excess of these indicators for new blocks, however, deviates from the average.

How to determine how moisture -resistant material?

The type of density of the building material determines an aerated block’s ability to withstand moisture. In relation to blocks designated D300 and D600, this figure is lowest for the former and highest for the latter.

Though most ethical manufacturers don’t break production technology, you can verify this for yourself by doing a quick experiment. Method:

1. The blocks are immersed in a prepared container with water.
2. The load is placed on top.
3. Leave the material for knocking.
4. Remove the blocks from the water and evaluate how deeply the liquid has penetrated inside. This is not difficult to do, as the wet area will become dark.

The blocks’ drying time is estimated for the experiment’s purity, and a decision is then made favoring one company over another.

Requirements for different walls

When building load-bearing walls, autoclaved factory-aerated blocks must be used. In addition to being dependable and strong, they offer consistent thermal conductivity.

Since external walls are always supporting weight, they are more vulnerable to the effects of the elements and to snow and rain. It makes sense that a thicker block will allow less moisture to seep into its deep structures, improving the room’s ability to retain heat. The owners will be able to live comfortably and save money on heating as a result.

It is advised to use autoclave aerated concrete with a minimum density of D400–D500 for the construction of the supporting walls. Gas blocks D300 can be used to create partitions within the home. They can certainly be used in the construction of the supporting walls, but in this instance, the house shouldn’t be taller than one story.

How to increase?

The following guidelines need to be adhered to in order to improve the moisture resistance of aerated concrete blocks:

1. Put blocks on a special glue with water -retaining additives in the composition. If you use a cement mortar, then the material will quickly pull moisture out of it and will not allow it to freeze.
2. Use cement only for laying the first row for waterproofing. It is recommended to first wet the blocks themselves with plain water. The thickness of the cement seam should be at least 2 cm.
3. Ensure high -quality waterproofing between wall material and foundation.
4. Make wall decoration after completion of construction. Waterproofing plaster can be used as waterproofing. Before applying, the walls are cleaned of pollution, primed and putty. When the walls are processed, you can proceed with their lining with the selected material.

Counseling! In the event that the full scope of work cannot be completed, you can construct a moisture-repellent water-biling impregnation. Water-repellent silicones are the main component of these mixtures.

You should never, ever leave the building without a roof. Install cornices, window sills, and a water supply system as necessary. In every area where water accumulates, the water drain needs to be guaranteed.

It is important to comprehend how aerated concrete blocks behave in actual construction situations when delving into the subject of aerated concrete blocks and their moisture sensitivity. Unlike more conventional materials like wood or regular concrete, aerated concrete blocks typically don’t mind getting wet. However, because of their composition and porosity, they can absorb moisture, which, if not properly managed, could potentially affect their performance. In-depth discussions of aerated concrete blocks’ interactions with moisture, their advantages for insulation and ease of construction, and useful advice for maintaining their durability and efficacy in moist environments will all be covered in this article.

Video on the topic

This video demonstrates aerated concrete’s resistance to moisture:

Aerated concrete blocks are a common option in construction because of their ability to insulate against heat and their lightweight design. However, their vulnerability to moisture is a common cause for concern. Although aerated concrete blocks do retain moisture, this does not mean that they are averse to it. Sufficient handling and installation techniques can reduce the likelihood of moisture-related problems.

Aerated concrete blocks absorb moisture mainly through their open-cell structure. Because of this feature, they can control the amount of humidity in a building, making the interior environment healthier. If not properly managed, however, prolonged exposure to moisture during construction or storage may have an adverse effect on their performance.

It’s important to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for handling, installation, and storage when using aerated concrete blocks. During construction, this includes shielding blocks from prolonged exposure to rain or standing water. Appropriate waterproofing and sealing techniques contribute to the longevity and integrity of aerated concrete walls, particularly in moist environments such as basements and bathrooms.

Overall, when used properly, aerated concrete blocks can absorb moisture but are not intrinsically susceptible to it. Aerated concrete blocks can offer effective and long-lasting solutions for building projects if their properties are understood and appropriate construction techniques, like sufficient drainage and sealing, are put into practice.

Video on the topic

Why aerated concrete blocks should be purchased in advance? Experiment at an aerated concrete plant

What will happen to aerated concrete blocks when exposed to moisture?

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