Capillary action (also known as wicking) is a common problem in buildings. Like the very action we depend on, of blood flowing through our bodies capillaries to our extremities, water can also flow and be drawn along or through many building materials. Roof leaks are one example where capillary action is often responsible.
Picture: Capillary action on a clay brick. Ordinary tile screed of the same sample size would reach total saturation in around 10 minutes .
Concrete and masonry, even of high quality contains capillaries. Common problems we see that arise from water flowing through concrete include:
- Concrete cancer.
- Leaking bathrooms.
- Leaking balconies.
- Rising damp through walls.
- Lateral damp through walls.
- Efflorescence.
- Ingrained mould and algae.
- Salt attack.
- Frost attack (freeze/ thaw effect).
- Blistering paint and other finishes.
Adding the patented technology of Efflock into everyday cementitious building materials prevents capillary action, amazingly, while remaining permeable.