News / prevent rising damp
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Mar 19, 2014
Remedial Builders are quick to embrace Efflock
The remedial sector of the building industry is an area that appears to be growing, at least most obviously in the Sydney region. This is probably due to the increasing number of strata title buildings requiring repairs. Many repairs such as concrete cancer are simply becoming necessary as buildings from the first wave of strata schemes during the 1960s, reach 40 and 50 years old. With housing pressures across our cities, strata schemes and high rise developments are becoming even more common with new high rises constantly springing up in our suburbs. Unfortunately, new does not mean free of defects....
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Oct 22, 2013
Brick Mart now stocking Efflock
Brick Mart in Brookvale (Northern Beaches in Sydney) are the latest building supplies store to carry Efflock. Brick Mart is a most impressive one stop shop for all bricklaying tools and supplies. Brick Mart carry everything from a full range of bricks, to scaffolding, tools, sand and cement. Efflock was recommended to Brick Mart by the boys at TMT Building, who are currently working together on a multi-unit development in Manly, on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. TMT Building was one of the first building companies to use Efflock, and now include Efflock in all their building specification from bathrooms...
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Jun 13, 2013
Efflock ideal for building in high saline areas
I gave a talk about Efflock to local builders at a Master Builders Association meeting out at Campbelltown last week. An interesting problem was raised, which I have touched on briefly in a previous blog. A builder at the meeting told me that the soil in the Camden area south west of Sydney is notorious for high salinity. The high salt content presents major problems for standard construction where rising damp can have very damaging effects on brickwork below the DPC or 'Damp Proof Course' level. The DPC is typically located around floor level, meaning that numerous courses of bricks...
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Apr 25, 2013
Recommended Reading: Salt Attack & Rising Damp in Buildings
This publication is a great reference for builders and for anyone considering building or renovating - particularly for understanding rising damp in older houses. Salt can be an incredibly destructive compound, and understanding how salt damp behaves is the first step in designing a solution to control and prevent salt attack. Efflock is an ideal product to prevent the transport of salt throughout masonry. Efflock is excellent for use in new construction to prevent efflorescence and damp problems in tiled patios and wet areas, but can be used in many different applications such as render and brick mortar. It can sometimes however,...
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Apr 19, 2013
Efflock testing: Boral Material Technical Services
Photo showing Efflock testing samples in the first week of testing (very slight efflorescence is visible on the control samples without Efflock on the left). Efflock is currently undergoing independent testing at the Boral Laboratory in Baulkham Hills, Sydney. This test facility is the largest of it's type in the Southern Hemisphere and is well recognised. Efflorescence testing can take a little while to manifest, but I've just had word from the Senior Development Engineer, Tony Song, that they are beginning to observe more conclusive results, and Efflock does perform. As part of the testing, we have created...
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Mar 14, 2013
Capillary action
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...
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Mar 04, 2013
Efflock is a sustainable product choice
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...
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Mar 01, 2013
Efflock to prevent rising damp and salt attack in buildings
Photograph showing rising damp and subsequent salt attack below DPC level. Rising damp is destructive for buildings. It is well understood that damp very quickly will create rot in structural timbers such as bearers and joists, and therefore a DPC (damp proof course) is provided to prevent rising damp. A modern DPC is typically a black embossed polythene roll that is laid out directly beneath ant-capping, or just below finished ground floor level. Polyethelene underlay (black or orange plastic) serves the same purpose for slab on ground construction. What is not usually considered, is that rising damp can also have destructive consequences...
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Feb 01, 2013
Efflock now available at Skippens!
Skippens is a family business and has been supplying bulk building materials to the Eastern Suburbs and greater Sydney for over 85 years. One of the most common questions they get is "how do I clean off efflorescence?". Unfortunately we don't have a solution for that, other than a cold chisel. However, Efflock will prevent efflorescence in all your future projects! By simply adding Efflock to the water of all your cementitious building materials, you will prevent efflorescence, reduce mould and algae, and prevent water 'wicking' through those materials. Nothing else has to change, you can keep your favourite mixes...