Protection of brickwork – types of water repellents

While brickwork is a beautiful and long-lasting building material, it can eventually sustain water damage. Brick surfaces must be shielded from moisture in order to preserve their structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. The use of water repellents is one practical method for doing this.

Brick surfaces can be treated with water repellents to stop water from seeping through. By covering the bricks with a protective layer, these products help to keep water out of the system and guard against problems like efflorescence, mold growth, and frost damage. Water repellents come in a variety of forms, each with special benefits.

Because of their potent resistance to weathering and long-lasting effects, silicone-based repellents are widely used. They go deep into the brickwork to offer strong defense that still permits the material to breathe. Silane-based repellents are another popular kind; they are well-known for their superior water-repelling capabilities and capacity to preserve the bricks’ original appearance.

Water repellents made of acrylic are an affordable way to safeguard brick surfaces. These materials create a thin layer on the outside that lets moisture from the bricks inside escape while also aiding in the prevention of water infiltration. This avoids problems such as internal damage and trapped moisture. The advantages of each type of water repellent vary, so it’s critical to select the appropriate one for your needs and the environmental factors your brickwork will encounter.

You can guarantee that your brickwork stays in excellent condition for many years to come by being aware of the various kinds of water repellents and how to use them. By keeping your brick surfaces dry, you can extend the life of your building projects while also maintaining their aesthetic appeal.

Operating principle of water repellents

Brick is a porous building material in its structure. Moisture absorption is thus a characteristic of ceramic masonry. The volume of water changes due to freezing and thawing, which leads to the collapse of buildings. Additionally, a salt deposit forms in the pores and on the surface after moisture and condensation evaporate. It degrades the building’s overall technical condition in addition to ruining its appearance.

Numerous actions are taken to stop the aforementioned effects as well as others, such as painting, plastering walls, and applying sealing or insulating agents to the surface. Hydrophobization of brickwork is one of the best solutions. Once every ten years, a unique transparent impregnation is used in this process, which allows the structures to maintain their breathability and appearance.

Water repellents began to appear on the domestic market in the 60s of the 20th century. Prototypes of modern samples had a short lifespan and were distinguished by flammable properties. But, despite this, the products were in high demand, technologists continued to eliminate shortcomings and improve protective equipment. The reason for the successful use of the first developments is their operating principle. Here the structure of the processed material, its vapor permeability and appearance are completely preserved, but moisture stops penetrating into pores and microcracks. It collects in drops and flows off the surface without causing any harm to it. This is justified by a significant decrease in the adhesion of the base to water and its contents. Otherwise, such compositions are often called wet-effect impregnations for brick/stone (silane siloxanes) because of this.

Certain products serve as anti-vandal coatings as well.

If we look at the composition, salts of fatty acids, surfactants, derivatives of fluorine and potassium, and metal compounds are the main ingredients used to make water repellents. The latter could contain zirconium, copper, and aluminum. These mixtures create a vapor-permeable film on the surface after application. The manufacturer has stated that the protection effectiveness is valid for the duration specified, even with the extremely thin layer of finishing.

Brickwork must be shielded from water damage in order to retain its strength and aesthetic appeal. By forming a barrier that stops moisture from penetrating, water repellents provide an efficient solution. Water repellents come in a variety of forms, such as silicone-based, silane-siloxane blends, and acrylics. Because each type has different qualities and advantages, it’s critical to select the best one for your particular requirements. By being aware of these choices, you can make sure your brickwork will continue to be stunning and durable for many years to come.

Types of materials

Brick impregnations against moisture are categorized based on a number of factors. For instance, compositions that contain organic solvents are only meant to be used outside. The hydrophobic compounds for brickwork are categorized in the table below based on composition, along with a synopsis of their fundamental characteristics.

The application technique is another factor to consider when deciding how to protect brick from moisture and deterioration. This is because each of the three hydrophobic compound types most prominently presents itself in one of three ways:

1. Surface action. These are deep penetration impregnations for bricks against moisture, which are applied to finished structures using a brush, roller or by spraying with a spray gun. The depth can reach 20 mm. The compositions are well absorbed into the brick, re-application is carried out after about 1-1.5 hours.
2. Volume effect. Here, water repellents are used as a functional additive in mortar for the production of building materials such as concrete, brick, and various types of blocks. According to the technology, such liquids replace the water included in the mixture in volume. It is important to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer so as not to change the characteristics of the working mixture for the worse.
3. Cut-off option. Otherwise, such water repellents for brick walls are called injection. The essence of their use is to introduce funds into structures through pores and microcracks. In this way, the base is strengthened and strengthened, and further destruction of the masonry is prevented or stopped.

One crucial point regarding water-repellent impregnations for surface-type bricks is worth mentioning separately. These are finishing compound applications. The coating offers little adhesion to other materials, so painting or plastering the walls afterwards is not included.

Many experts advise applying hydrophobic impregnations to brick walls’ surfaces as soon as the masonry mortar has dried. As a result, there will be very little surface contamination and the best possible outcome. Experts also suggest using complete structural protection. Put another way, use two or three different kinds of tools at once. The building’s service life will then be increased by a minimum of 15 years.

An overview of hydrophobic compounds for bricks, which are frequently used by specialists, is given in the table.

Whichever brick water repellent works best for you, it’s crucial to apply a layer of protection evenly across the surface. Since most of the compositions are transparent, it is challenging to see tool traces. As a result, it is not advised to forgo applying hydrophobic compounds frequently.

It’s crucial to protect your brickwork with water repellents if you want to keep your buildings looking and feeling as good as new. By keeping water from seeping through the brick, these products lessen the possibility of damage from freezing and thawing as well as moisture-related problems like mold and mildew.

Water repellents come in a variety of forms, such as siliconates, siloxanes, and silanes. Every variety has unique benefits and works best in certain situations. For instance, silanes offer long-lasting protection that penetrates deeply, and siloxanes strike a good balance between cost and efficacy. Because silicones can make a surface water-resistant while letting the brick breathe, they are frequently used.

The simple act of applying a water repellent can greatly increase the lifespan of your brickwork. It’s critical to select the appropriate product for your unique requirements and to apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Reapplying sealant when necessary and performing routine maintenance will guarantee that your brickwork is protected for many years to come.

Purchasing water repellents improves the visual appeal of your brickwork while maintaining its structural integrity. You can avoid unsightly stains and preserve the neat, appealing appearance of your building by keeping moisture at bay. You can take advantage of the longevity and beauty of your brickwork with little maintenance if you choose the correct water repellent.

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