Chemical damp-proofing systems to protect masonry

The image shows the equipment required for masonry damp-proofing: sealant gun with injection lance, a cutter, and a sausage of silicone cream.

For damp-proofing masonry, professional users would require a caulking gun equipped with an injector nozzle as well as a water-repellent cream or a microemulsion concentrate.

Rising damp that penetrates masonry from below can quickly take a heavy toll on buildings: it rises through capillary action, damages building materials, increases energy consumption, and can cause mold.

Chemical damp-proofing with SILRES® BS products serves as a preventive measure as well as an effective solution for treating existing moisture damage. When injected into the masonry through drilled holes, they form a highly effective horizontal barrier that reliably keeps rising damp at bay.

Chemical damp-proofing – challenges and solutions

Typical challenges:

  • In buildings erected close to groundwater or in direct contact with the ground, rising damp leads to damage and mold growth.
  • Damp walls reduce insulation performance, increase heating costs, and have a negative impact on energy efficiency.
  • Damage caused by moisture weakens the building fabric and often leads to costly repairs and renovations.

Our solution:

Chemical damp-proofing is an effective method to treat damp whereby holes are drilled into the masonry and injected with SILRES® BS microemulsion concentrates and silane/siloxane-based SILRES® BS Creme products. When injected into the masonry, they form permanent bonds to create a highly effective horizontal barrier against rising damp.

How a horizontal barrier with SILRES® BS works

Schematic illustration of masonry with boreholes. A horizontal barrier can be seen at the level of the boreholes. Moisture penetrates the masonry below the horizontal barrier. The masonry above the barrier is dry.

Above the horizontal barrier created by chemical damp-proofing (yellow), the masonry remains dry, even if moisture pushes up from below. Through chemical damp-proofing, the active ingredient reacts with the silicate matrix of the building material and reduces surface tension. As a result, water ingress through capillary action is stopped, the wall dries out, and the masonry gains long-lasting protection against moisture.

Masonry Injection for Horizontal Barriers

Product properties

Silane/siloxane-based, solvent-free microemulsion concentrates; can be diluted with water

Advantages:

  • Highly effective by virtue of excellent penetration
  • Suitable for moisture-saturated masonry
  • Customizable to meet the requirements of any building site
  • WTA and CSTC-certified

Application:

  • Preferably using pressure, but also possible without pressure and in a multi-step injection process

Product properties

Aqueous, solvent-free, silane/siloxane based water-repellent creams; ready-to-use injection agents

Advantages:

  • Effective even at high saturation levels (up to 95%)
  • Excellent distribution within mortar joints
  • No need for elaborate preparation of masonry
  • WTA-certified

Application:

  • Simple injection without pressure using a cartridge gun or under slight pressure with a pump

FAQs

Damp-proofing refers to measures that stop rising damp in the masonry and allow the walls to dry out. It is necessary when damage caused by damp – for example, spalling, mold, efflorescence – is conspicuous, or in the event of increased heating costs resulting from a loss in energy efficiency.

In this process, boreholes are drilled into the masonry and SILRES® BS agents are injected. This forms a chemical barrier that blocks rising damp through capillary action. The masonry dries out.

This tried-and-tested method is efficient, versatile, and has long-lasting results – even in walls that are heavily saturated with moisture. It ensures dry, energy-efficient walls, is WTA-certified, and can be implemented without elaborate preparation of the existing structure.

Additional information

Brochures

SILRES® BS | Masonary Damp-Proofing for Buildings

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PDF 1.2 MB

SILRES® BS Application Overview

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PDF 997.2 KB English

SILRES® and GENIOSIL® | Architectural Coatings and Construction Materials

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PDF 11.3 MB English