News / prevent wicking

• 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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• 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 07, 2013

  What does Efflock cost per square metre of tiling?

  Efflock prevents efflorescence and creates hydrophobic tile bed, adhesive and grout for around $3.87/m2 (for a 30mm thick tile bed). Compare that with the cost of a secondary membrane for at least $20/m2, and you're way in front Even with a tile bed 100mm thick you're saving cost and extra processes. Plus there are no hassles with inclement weather, no issues with trapping moisture between two membranes, and you even have the option to wet bed your tiles! Efflock allows the bed to permeate, meaning it will release moisture from the hydration process, whilst repelling water ingress.  Less cost, big time savings...

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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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• Jan 21, 2013

  Leaking shower prevented with Efflock

  Leaking showers remain one of the most common building defects in Austraila. This is alarming when you consider bathroom renovations generally cost at least $20,000.00. And, often it is brand new bathrooms that are leaking - a Sydney based builder who is a customer of Efflock recently mentioned having to replace a 2 year old bathroom for a client only last year. Usually a leak remains undetected until serious damage has already occurred. This can be carpets and furnishings, paintwork, plaster or render, rotting of structural timber, or even possibly termites who love nothing more than moisture, darkness and a tasty timber framed house. A common flaw: If there is...

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