News / concrete
-
Jul 02, 2015
Elastomeric paints are a wise choice for efflorescence prevention
Read more →Without damp or water penetration, efflorescence cannot occur. Efflorescence is caused by a concentration of salts that have been dissolved by moisture and transported by capillary action to a point of discharge where the moisture evaporates, and leaves the salts behind. Water is the most destructive compound that works against the health and longevity of any building, in so many different ways other than just efflorescence. Therefore, a quality building specification must always pay careful attention to preventing the ingress of water and damp in every situation. For over a decade, a cement rendered and painted finish has been very popular in Australia. Render has often been applied...
-
Sep 05, 2014
How to remove efflorescence
Read more →Efflorescence is very simply caused by the action of water entering masonry. That water then dissolves inherent salts, the most abundant of those salts is usually what's known as 'free lime' which is left surplus from the matrix of the concrete. Removing efflorescence is difficult and labour intensive, and requires acid based remover. Many products attempt to mask the word 'acid' with "water based" and other jargon, and will often mask any unpleasant odour with a nice scent such as lemon. Regardless, an acid pH is essentially what's required to dissolve the efflorescence. Once efflorescence is cleaned, it is most likely going to return....
-
Mar 04, 2013
Efflock is a sustainable product choice
Read more →Efflock is 100% VOC free. Being water based and solvent free, also means Efflock is not flammable and has no offensive or dangerous odour. Efflock's maximum concentrate formula also means minimal plastic packaging waste and minimal fossil fuel consumption through transport. Sustainability Through Longevity: Production of masonry products like tiles, bricks and cement by nature, demand a carbon hungry manufacturing process. Each of these materials however, are some of the most versatile and useful building materials we have, and can be very long lasting when installed with diligence. Increasing the 'service life' of each of these building materials...
-
Feb 22, 2013
Some basic facts about everyday building materials you may not know.
Read more →It was pointed out to me yesterday, that to date, my blogs are written in a way that assumes some prior technical knowledge about building. Considerable interest about Efflock is coming from home owners, 'Do-It-Yourselfers', or from people who are interested in including Efflock in their building project, but aren't quite sure how to recommend its use or exactly what it does to the tradesmen they are engaging. So here goes.... Firstly, many people may assume that concrete is waterproof: It makes sense right? You see concrete on bridges, footpaths, driveways and balconies everywhere, so surely water doesn't affect it?? ...