Protection of a brick wall from water. What is the brick afraid of (the most common defects in brick and masonry). Types of impregnation for bricks are determined by the constituent components

The weakest point of external brick walls is their mortar joints. Moisture can penetrate through them and heat can escape. The methods described below will ensure their long-term protection from moisture and reduce heat loss.

Damp brick walls of houses bring considerable losses. Freezing in winter time, they make themselves felt by a decrease in heat in the premises and an increase in heating costs. Penetrating into the seams of the masonry, water turns into ice in winter, thereby bursting them, gradually destroying the masonry and the brick itself. Often the owners of their own, not understanding the nature of the resulting discomfort, try to do internal thermal insulation walls and their subsequent finishing, making considerable expenses. Of course, it will become warmer from this, but the destructive processes in the walls will continue. You still need to start with the repair of a brick wall, which may allow you to abandon the insulation of the walls. In this article, you will learn how to protect brick walls from moisture, what means and methods are available for this.

brick wall cleaning

As advised, the walls should be subject to annual inspection, and any damage that is detected should be repaired immediately. Dirt and plants that have arisen on the walls are well removed with a cleaner high pressure. The owner of the house needs such a not so expensive and multifunctional machine. In addition, it is suitable for washing vehicles and removing old paint. If the contaminants are difficult to remove, then use mechanical cleaning or use a special paste. It is applied with a brush. After half an hour, it is washed off with dissolved dirt.

Causes of moisture

Cracking masonry seams are a way for moisture to enter the wall. Water, at low temperatures turned into ice, destroys the wall. Greenery on a brick wall clear sign prolonged dampness of the wall. Here, immediate help is needed for an already thoroughly collapsing wall.

Moisture can penetrate the walls due to poor-quality masonry seams or panel joints. This is confirmed by obvious stains, the formation of fungal mold inside the house, damage to the joints visible from the outside and greenery on them. There are two options for repairing such facades - if the seams are basically in order, then the masonry is made hydrophobic, that is, it is impregnated with an appropriate agent. If the seams are in poor condition, then they must first be repaired.

Impregnation of brickwork

Even walls soaked with moisture should be treated with a hydrophobic composition. But it is better to do this a few days after the appearance of dry and warm weather. The meaning of this treatment is to close the pores in the solution of seams and bricks. The porosity of materials contributes to the deep penetration of the agent into them. It creates a colorless, durable, water-repellent and non-wetting film on the wall surface. Pre-impregnation is done before sealing the seams. To apply it, you can use garden sprayer. The impregnating agent is applied to the wall saturated with moisture from top to bottom. So it displaces water from small cracks.

In the West, it is generally recommended to use Funcosil (domestic drug Siloxil), which can be used specifically on wet walls. The product does not contain solvents and is therefore environmentally friendly. But when processing walls, it is recommended to cover nearby plants with a film.

Pre-sealing brickwork

It is better to call it the repair of joints and masonry, since the crumbling mortar is removed, a new filling is created in them. At the same time, separate collapsing facing bricks are also removed. First, the seams are tightly filled with a cement-sand mortar, then they begin to seal with a special mortar. Embedding is best done with mixtures such as Betonite, Ceresit, Atlas. You can make your own with cement. It is recommended not to seal each seam separately, but to apply and rub the solution immediately onto a large surface.

So, the stages of work:

The wall is cleaned, the crumbling solution of seams is removed;

Separate collapsing bricks change;

The wall is pre-impregnated;

She is allowed to dry;

The seams are closed;

The wall is cleaned and impregnated again.

At least a day is needed to stabilize the pre-impregnation. After that, the seams are sealed with mortar. For the initial sealing of the seams is prepared cement-sand mortar, sand up to 2 mm is used for this. For final embedding, a board with sponge rubber is used, with which the solution is rubbed. Diagonal movements of the sponge along the seams remove the mortar from the surface before it sets. Washed a second time with clean water while removing traces of the solution. Closed seams must be closed from straight sun rays. The second impregnation is carried out after 3 days.

An alternative to proprietary impregnation

The recommended impregnation is not available everywhere. But there is also Alternative option- can be taken for these purposes natural drying oil or vegetable oil. They are applied to the wall in a heated form with a brush also 2 times. But pre-impregnation requires several days to dry.

Thus, you have learned how to protect against moisture. We hope that these tips will be useful to you. The main thing is to follow them clearly and then everything will work out!

Brick wall protection is milestone because the material absorbs moisture from the soil. Rising, it can reach the upper floors of the building, destroying the masonry. As a result, the premises will be damp, fungus and mold will begin to spread.

High-quality waterproofing protects brickwork from moisture and dampness.

Protection of brick walls must first be carried out from the outside, this is the first stage of work. If it is not done, the internal waterproofing device can strengthen Negative consequences. Creating protection inside the rooms will lead to even greater saturation of the walls with moisture. The dampness on the upper floors will become stronger.

Your task is to protect brick wall, plinth or foundation from dampness. First make high-quality waterproofing outside. It is very good if this stage of work is carried out at the stage of building construction.

Basement masonry protection options

During the construction of houses, the following types of protection are used:

coating:
pasting;
clay castle;
the use of plaster with special modifiers included in it;
screen.

Clay castle is a method that is based on the construction of a ditch around the foundation. Liquid clay is used to strengthen the walls and bottom. Then the ditch is covered with gravel, and a blind area is arranged on top. Screen waterproofing involves working with bentonite mats, they are overlapped.

These 2 types of waterproofing are good to use for protection brickwork basement, but work must be carried out even during the construction of the building. Clay castle and screen laying cannot be considered the only possible options. Plaster mixtures and the hydrophobic modifiers introduced into them make it possible to reliably protect the masonry from groundwater.

Coating waterproofing involves the use of bitumen-based mastics. The addition of synthetic resins or other fillers increases the protective function. Before treating a brick wall with mastic, thoroughly clean the surface.

Pasting is very effective, it is based on the use of fiberglass materials. It's simple and cheap way protection of the foundation masonry and the basement from groundwater.

Masonry protection

The seams of the brickwork located above ground floor are also vulnerable to moisture. Ceramic stone is used most often today, due to excess moisture, it begins to collapse.

Brick is a porous material, and masonry seams can be called a weak point. When raising moisture along the walls, the following troubles are possible:

the appearance of whitish salt formations;
in winter, moisture freezes, forming ice;
masonry destruction;
heat is escaping from the building.

Processing of a brick surface is carried out in stages.

The best way to protect the brick from moisture is a special impregnation.

After processing, it will be completely protected. In addition, brick walls will become very beautiful, the durability of the structure will increase significantly. The product creates a water-repellent layer and excellent vapor barrier. This is achieved due to the penetration of the impregnation into the brick by 1 cm. As a result, the stone wall is not afraid of rain, snow and melt water also not harmful.

Impregnations are on sale in specialized stores. It is worth mentioning the following funds, which differ from each other in composition:

Water-repellent impregnation for bricks. It is in demand most of all, since the product has excellent protective characteristics.
Silicone impregnation. Remedy for water based, it consists of 2 components.
Varnish impregnation. By applying it to the walls, you get a surface with a slight gloss.
Silicone-acrylic impregnation.

Impregnation for bricks has a water-repellent effect. On the surface of the brickwork, the products form a very thin hydrophobic film, which reliably seals the pores of the brick, preventing moisture from penetrating inside. The destruction of the brick stops.

Before starting work, it is necessary to determine the sources of moisture penetration. To do this, examine the seams. If they are not destroyed, then simply impregnate the walls. In case of visible damage to the seams, first carry out restoration work, and only then cover the walls with a protective agent.

Inspect stone walls once a year. Remove dirt with water or a special paste. Mechanical cleaning is no less effective. To remove traces of salt on the walls, use special solutions. Mold and fungus must be treated with antiseptics.

It is best to apply the products on dry and clean brick walls. Wait for dry weather, and then get to work. If the mortar in the joints of the masonry crumbles, remove it. Replace the crumbling parts of the masonry, lay a new brick. Apply impregnation to the masonry, let dry. This is a preliminary stage of work. Then close all seams.

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If you want to receive good result, then make sure that at least a day passes between the preliminary impregnation of the masonry and the finishing part of the work. Then seal the seams by applying a cement-sand composition with a layer of 2 mm. Using the sponge diagonally, rub in the solution. Remove the excess and wait for the solution to completely set. Rinse the wall thoroughly to remove residue. cold water. Close the seams from sunlight. Wait 3 days and then apply a final impregnation. This is an excellent hydrophobic coating for sand-lime bricks.

If you do not need to repair the seams, apply a protective impregnation in 2 layers. A little time should pass between 1 and 2 layers, but it is enough to wait 15 minutes. There should be a visible shine on the wall, such a coating will last at least 10 years. Now you know everything about how to protect walls.

Conclusion

Brickwork protection consists of 2 stages. First, waterproof the foundation, and then proceed to protect the walls of the building from precipitation. Use special impregnations.

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The products form a thin hydrophobic layer on the surface of the brick walls, which prevents the penetration of moisture into the masonry.

A brick water repellent is one of the processing methods that allows you to increase the frost resistance and water resistance of future masonry, as well as improve its thermodynamics. In general, hydrophobization makes construction material more durable. The first water repellents appeared on the building materials market about 40 years ago and have been actively used in this area since then. Initially, they had a number of disadvantages, such as a high fire hazard and the need for re-application. Modern water repellents, as a rule, are devoid of these problems.

The water repellent does not allow moisture to be absorbed into the brick.

Why is it necessary to use hydrophobization?

Starting the construction of the premises, each owner hopes that his house will last for a long time and will keep a good appearance, Despite everything. Unfortunately, no matter how expensive and high-tech the building material is, over time it will begin to lose its performance characteristics and wear out.

Building materials such as stone, concrete and brick are characterized by a porous structure that absorbs moisture. A particularly dangerous period for these materials is autumn, when heavy precipitation in the form of rain is replaced by frost. Water that has been absorbed into the porous structure of the building material freezes inside it and slowly begins to destroy the stone, and this entails damage to the masonry or facade finish. In addition, wet brick, concrete and stone retain heat indoors much worse.

How often is hydrophobization performed?

Water repellents protect the brick from the appearance of mold and efflorescence.

Hydrophobization of brickwork with modern liquids is carried out once every 10 years, and this is quite enough to save good view premises, protecting it from fungus and efflorescence. This allows you to increase the performance of the material, because water-repellent impregnation is somewhat reminiscent of the effect of varnish, but it can be used not only for wood, but also for concrete, stone and brick.

Hydrophobic impregnation for stone is usually available in water-based for internal works and solvent-based organic type for exterior finishing. Impregnation for bricks is odorless and colorless, but at the same time it has water-repellent properties. Hydrophobic coating is absorbed into the structure of the material by 2 cm and forms inside a certain protective film. Rainwater and other precipitation do not penetrate into the building material, but roll down it, like drops of water on glass.

Treating a brick with a water repellent allows you to protect it from darkening and deterioration in appearance, which occurs over time. Over the years, environmental factors significantly damage building materials, leaving dust and moisture particles inside the brick. This noticeably changes the color of the walls and spoils the appearance of the building.

Hydrophobiser can be processed wood flooring, it will not only prevent darkening, but also eliminate the decay of the material. Hydrophobic impregnation does not cause corrosion of reinforcing steel when treating areas with its presence. The sealant for hydrophobization has a high atmospheric resistance, therefore it does not deform building materials and does not lose its performance characteristics at high temperatures. The water repellent can withstand temperatures from -50 to +150°C.

Types and scope of hydrophobic impregnations

Water repellents can process not only bricks, but also wood.

Today in building materials stores you can find great amount varieties of hydrophobic liquid to protect bricks from moisture. Solutions for hydrophobization differ in the size of the particles that are formed when a liquid is dissolved in water or organic mixtures. By composition, hydrophobic impregnations are divided into several types:

alkyl siliconates;
N-siloxanes;
silanesiloxanes.

Alkyl siliconates are the most cheap option fluids for processing bricks and masonry. N-siloxanes are more advanced impregnations with good water-repellent and protective properties.

Silanesiloxanes are the highest group of hydrophobic impregnations that have the most the best performance and achieve the greatest penetration depth.

These impregnations can create the wet stone effect very popular with architectural designs in recent times.

The application of hydrophobic impregnations is often used in the restoration of valuable architectural monuments and masonry of past centuries. The impregnation is colorless, therefore it does not change the color of the walls and the color of building materials, but, on the contrary, gives them a shine and a neat appearance. Impregnation can be used to treat walls in sanitary facilities - in saunas, pools and baths. Hydrophobic impregnations are used to seal between window seams and doorways.

The use of hydrophobic impregnations makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of repairing facades and prevents the destruction of concrete, plaster, masonry and other surfaces. Most engineers and architects recommend treating brick, concrete, and masonry walls as soon as they are built. Processed materials retain their properties much longer. performance, and the service life of the entire structure with deep impregnation increases by at least 15 years.

Looking for reasons

Moisture penetrates the walls through poor-quality masonry seams or panel joints. This is confirmed by obvious stains, the formation of fungal mold inside the house, damage to the joints visible from the outside and greenery on them.

For the repair of such facades, we offer two options:

if the seams are mostly in order, then the masonry is made hydrophobic by soaking it with the appropriate preparation;
if the seams are in poor condition, then they are first sealed.

brick wall cleaning

The walls are subjected to an annual inspection and any damage found is repaired immediately. Dirt and plants that have appeared on the walls are well removed with a high-pressure cleaner. The homeowner simply needs such a not very expensive and multifunctional machine (suitable for washing vehicles and removing old paint). If the contaminants are poorly removed, mechanical cleaning is used or a special paste is used. It is applied with a brush. After 30 minutes, it is washed off with dissolved dirt.

Impregnation of brickwork

Even walls saturated with moisture can be treated with a hydrophobic compound. But it is better to do this a few days after the establishment of dry and warm weather. The essence of this treatment is to close the pores in the solution of seams and bricks. The porosity of materials favors the deep penetration of the drug into them. The product creates a colorless, stable, water-repellent and non-wetting film on the wall surface.

In the West, it is most often recommended to use Funcosil (domestic drug Siloxil), which can also be used on wet walls. The product does not contain solvents and is therefore environmentally friendly. However, when processing walls, it is recommended to cover nearby plants with a film.

Pre-sealing brickwork

It is better to call it the repair of joints and masonry, since the crumbling mortar is removed, creating a new filling in them. At the same time, separate collapsing facing bricks are also removed. The seams are first tightly filled with a cement-sand mortar, and then sealed with a special mortar. Embedding is best done with mixtures such as Betonite, Ceresit, Atlas, or self-prepared based on cement. We suggest not sealing each seam separately, but applying and rubbing the solution immediately onto a large surface.

Stages of work:

clean the wall by removing crumbling grout;
change individual collapsing bricks;
make a preliminary impregnation of the wall;
let dry;
close up the seams;
clean the wall and impregnate again.

A minimum of 24 hours is required for pre-impregnation to stabilize. After that, the seams are sealed with a solution.

For the initial sealing of the joints, a cement-sand mortar is prepared using sand up to 2 mm. For the final seal, a board with sponge rubber is used, with which the solution is rubbed. Diagonal movements of the sponge along the seams remove the solution from the surface until it sets. Washed a second time clean water removing traces of the solution. Closed seams are closed from direct sunlight. The second impregnation is carried out after 3 days.

A high-pressure cleaner in steam mode will not only remove dirt and greenery, but also old crumbling mortar from the joints.

Pre-impregnation will protect the old porous mortar in the masonry joints. It is carried out mainly at the seams.

Seams that need to be sealed are filled tightly cement mortar. It is prepared with sand in a 1:1 ratio.

The final sealing of the joints is carried out with a cement mortar rubbed in a circular motion. Water is added to cement 1:4.

The wall is washed from the solution with diagonal movements with a wet sponge. It is washed twice.

When the seams dry out, the wall is subjected to final impregnation - the facade is like new.

An alternative to proprietary impregnation

The recommended impregnation is not available everywhere. But you can use natural drying oil or vegetable oil for these purposes. They are applied to the wall in a heated form with a brush also twice. But pre-impregnation requires several days to dry.

What is brick afraid of (the most common defects in brick and masonry)

(Some measures to prevent the destruction of brickwork and to protect bricks)

When looking at the centuries-old walls of the Moscow Kremlin, it is difficult to imagine that brick is a very delicate material. Even a brick made in compliance with all production technologies, without proper handling, can lose its structural properties to a large extent, or even simply fall apart into mechanical components. And half the trouble, if this happens with the material that has overwintered at the construction site - it is much worse if the already erected building suffers.

IT IS A DEEP MISTAKE TO BELIEVE THAT THE BRICK BOX OF A HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IS USEFUL TO SPEND THE WINTER WITHOUT FINISHING.

Ceramic brick, as you know, consists of clay with the addition of sand, silicate brick - from sand and a binder component, lime. After molding, the components of ceramic bricks are soldered in a high-temperature furnace. Silicate brick is not fired, the technology of its manufacture involves steaming the sand-lime mixture. But in both cases, the “body” of the brick turns out to be far from monolithic, due to which the already dried building material retains the ability to absorb moisture, which, under adverse conditions, can lead to the destruction of not only the wall decoration, but also the masonry itself.

According to the ability to absorb moisture, bricks are different for bricks: this difference is associated with such a characteristic as water absorption, which, in turn, is linked to frost resistance - the ability to maintain mechanical strength after a certain amount freeze and thaw cycles. For example, if we compare ceramic and silicate bricks, then the ability to absorb moisture from silicate bricks is much higher. The brick absorbs moisture, and that, condensing and freezing, destroys it from the inside. And here we should warn against a gross mistake those who believe that brick box a house under construction is useful to spend the winter without finishing. It is very likely that as a result atmospheric influences, for which the brick is not designed in principle, it will begin to crumble. After all, under the conditions of normal operation of the building, the brick warms up from the inside of the house, and from the outside it is protected either by plaster or some other facing material(at least the same facing brick, in which the water absorption index is lower, and the frost resistance is higher). Therefore, if due to any circumstances it is necessary to suspend construction on winter period, walls - in order to preserve them - are lined with insulation. Of course, in this case, protection from atmospheric precipitation is also necessary. The latter will be far from superfluous throughout the entire period of construction.

Protecting a brick building from precipitation is a measure that helps prevent such a destructive phenomenon as efflorescence. Whitish washouts on brick facades are formed as a result of wetting the brick with its subsequent drying. Salts that protrude to the surface are found both in Cambrian clays rich in them and in mortars, and in the latter case, the use of special additives in winter to prevent the solution from freezing increases the likelihood of efflorescence. Vysoly not only spoil the appearance of the building - the plaster from the surfaces affected by them comes off as easily as the paint layer. There is an opinion that some salts, accumulating inside the brick in the form of constantly growing crystals, can also destroy the brickwork itself. In case of silicate brick such a “fifth column” can be quicklime particles, which swell and “explode” under the influence of moisture, forming, at best, holes and crevices on the brick surface.

One of the means to help protect the brick from excessive moisture is its treatment with hydrophobic compounds - a technology that is rarely used in domestic construction practice. In this situation, the simplest effective method to preserve the “health” of the brickwork - to cover it during the construction process with waterproof materials and prevent the brick from “going under the snow”. Further protective function take care of the lining materials.