News / prevent salt damp

• 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 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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• Feb 22, 2013

  Some basic facts about everyday building materials you may not know.

  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?? ...

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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...

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• Nov 08, 2012

  Trade feedback: Efflock used in render

  Efflock is ideal as an additive for render. Efflock is pictured here, specified by the builder in a bathroom renovation, as an additional barrier in the water proofing system. Ian the renderer used his preferred mix using 4 Sydney sand, 1 cement, with plasticisers of Bycol and renderer's clay. Even with renderer's clay in the mix, Efflock works. Ian was pleased with the workability of the mix, and the simplicity of adding just 1% Efflock to the gauging water to create water repellent walls!

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