News / saline soils
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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...
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Mar 05, 2014
Salinity in Australia - a big problem that builders need to consider.
Read more →The Master Builders Association meeting held in Maitland last week had a very entertaining and informative guest speaker from the NSW Department of Primary Industries. The topic was urban salinity. Salt from the soil can have a very destructive and catastrophic effect on masonry in buildings. Salt is drawn up into masonry with rising damp, and over many years with wet and dry cycles, more and more salt is deposited into the point of evaporation, typically in brickwork or stonework below damp proof course [DPC] level. The pressure exerted by crystallising salt can exceed 200MPa, whilst the tensile resistant strength...