News / repel water

• Jul 16, 2013

  New Stockist in Lidcombe NSW: Astro Tile Pty Ltd

  We are excited to announce Efflock is now available at Astro Tile in Lidcombe.  Astro Tile is another excellent small tiling supplies business that carry an excellent range of tiling tools and products, and offer excellent service and advice. 

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• Apr 02, 2013

  Are you trying to install a secondary membrane, but it keeps raining?!!

  Having Efflock in a tile bed means a secondary membrane to control efflorescence is no longer required. However, Efflock is proving very useful to a number of our customers who still prefer to install a secondary membrane on their tiled balconies as another line of defence.  An apartment block in Sydney with efflorescence stains from the top balcony streaming down the facade. The permeable yet hydrophobic effect of a tile screed containing Efflock means that a tile bed can expel moisture from the hydration process, whilst repelling any rain that comes along in the mean time. A screed containing Efflock is...

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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 06, 2013

  Frustration of rain on tile screed with exposed balconies.

  By using Efflock, a secondary membrane to control efflorescence is not required. There are however, builders, architects and engineers who insist on including a secondary membrane as they like to 'cover all bases'. I can understand that; as builder myself, I like to include a few insurances in my work to avoid getting that phone call nobody wants. A secondary membrane remains good building practice, so long as excessive moisture is not sandwiched and trapped in between layers in the process. I've also had situations myself in remedial work, where we opted to screed first, then apply a membrane and...

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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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• Jan 29, 2013

  Efflock now available at Euro Abrasives

  Piloting of Efflock has gone well in our first two local stores. We are looking to steadily expand into other reputable tiling hardware stores as demand grows, and we are pleased to announce Euro Abrasives in St Peters is supporting and stocking our product. There is not much they don't have when it comes to tiling, and now they also have Efflock so you can forever prevent efflorescence occurring in your next building project.

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• Jan 16, 2013

  Efflock is a cost effective grout additive that is easy to use.

  Most tilers would agree that typical tile grout additives can make grout very sticky, with a fast drying skin that makes 'sponging off' quite challenging.  Efflock may lubricate the mix slightly, but will maintain easy workability.  The 1:100 dilution makes Efflock unrivalled value as a grout additive, with unmatched hydrophobic performance to help prevent ingrained mould.   

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• Nov 26, 2012

  Trapping moisture with a secondary membrane

  The popular approach to controlling efflorescence on tiled balconies, is to provide a secondary membrane directly beneath the tiles. Another approach is to bond the tile bed directly to the substrate and install a single membrane on top. Both of these methods are popular and can be effective in controlling efflorescence from the tile bed, but there are pit-falls. Firstly, efflorescence is also known to release from tile adhesive and grout, which are both located above the membrane. Secondly, these methods trap all the moisture in the tile bed under an impervious membrane. Moisture in the tile bed concrete mix...

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