Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade - The Proactive Approach

Ravi Shankar Singh, National Sales Manager, Remmers India Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon

Façade - The reflection of a building's personality

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade
The façade is known as the face of a building. It also reflects the profile of the occupants. Façade certainly has the major share in the appearance and impact of a building. Commonly used options are brick, natural stone, concrete, gritwash, exterior paints, and wood, glass and aluminum composites. They need to be cared for and protected against the weathering effect of the environment. Rather we need to anticipate the weathering environment in different parts of the world and provide a preventive treatment to the façade surface so that its functionality and aesthetics can be sustained for years.

The common problems that we see as the resultant of the environment are given in the tabular form and discussed in detail:

Façade Common problems
Brick Salt patches, green growth, water absorption, color fading
Stone Water absorption, green growth, yellowing, shade variation
Concrete surface Salt formation, sand depletion, water absorption, carbonation
Wood Termites & insects, Moisture, Discoloration,  moisture ingress, staining etc

Exposed Brick facade

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade
We have many buildings across the world with exposed brick façade and have unique identity. When it is subjected to rain and vehicular fumes, it tends to generate salt on the surface of the red brick which not only gives a patchy look but also indicates the signs of deterioration. Brick tends to open the capillary pores resulting in the ingress of water and water then travels to interior of the building spoiling the interior décor as well. Exposed brick façade would require treatment at the time of installation.

The recommended treatment for the various problems is written in tabular form:

A list of solutions which takes the common problems associated with Brick Façade
Salt formation Salt inhibitor chemical penetrates the pores and capillaries of the brick and does not allow the salts to appear on the surface
Moisture ingress Hydrophobic impregnation stops the water to penetrate inside the surface and repel both water and dust.
Green Growth Bactericide, fungicide and algaecide (BFA) impregnation  for restricting the organic growth on the surface
Discoloration U V resistant impregnation minimizes the natural process of discoloration

The treatment can be done on old surface also but cleaning has to be done with either Clinker Cleaner or Cleaning Paste, sometimes hydro jetting is required for effective cleaning before application of BFA and hydrophobic treatment.

Stone/stone cladded façade

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade
Stone is one of the most durable materials being used for ages but some of the stone is porous and absorbs water and impurities from the environment, resulting in yellowing of stone, organic growth and de-bonding in case of cladding. Sandstone is prone to water absorption and it must be treated for the hydrophobicity, Bactericide, Fungicide and Algacide impregnation. Some of the impregnation material is solvent based and it tends to change the natural color of the stone so need to test the sample before application on entire area. Water based product is more suitable for stone which shows the change of color and there is moisture already trapped in the stone.
Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade

Concrete facade

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade
Modern construction uses concrete extensively as the final finish. Concrete provides one of the highest life in terms of the durability. Concrete surface which is highly alkaline protects the structure from the weathering environment like fumes, acid rain, water ingress, organic growth etc… The pH of the concrete is 12.5. The concrete goes through a process of carbonation, Carbon dioxide, which is present in air in proportions of around 0.3% attacks calcium bearing phases converting calcium hydroxide to calcium carbonate

Ca (OH)2 + CO2—> CaCO2 + H2O

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade
Resulting in drop of pH from 12.5 to 8.5. Once pH drops to 8.5 the process of concrete deterioration is faster and results in the weakening of structure. Hence cost to life cycle is higher and it needs protective treatment and life can be increased further, hence by bringing the life cycle cost further. 100% pure Acrylic coatings are used to protect concrete. According to the external environment the thickness will vary from 120 microns to 300 microns. The life of concrete can be further increased by 10yrs. Concrete Acrylic or Anticarbonation coating is very useful in coastal and high rainfall area.

Wood façade

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade
Wood is one of the most beautiful natural products used in the making of house and on heights, it has been used in the exterior as well. In exterior condition, wood is exposed to the following six problems:
  • UV rays
  • Rain/moisture
  • Termites/insects
  • Mould/Algae
  • Fungus
  • Blue stain
Instead of treating product wood with different products, it can be treated with one impregnation material called HK Stain which shall take care of all the above stated problems. In order to improve the aesthetic and protection capability, another product called LT Stain and PUR Aqua Top 1K can be applied.

Conclusion

Preserving the Beauty of External Building Façade

Whatever material we choose to install as our external face of the building would require a protection treatment to handle the extreme condition like water ingress, UV rays, pollution, insects, organic growth and chemical attack. In many cases, it has been observed that we do the treatment when we face the problem, but it is advisable to anticipate and do the treatment in the beginning itself to avoid the cost of repair, cleaning which will come as extra cost.
Nippon Paint expands into Rs. 12,500 cr Construction Chemicals market
In line with its global vision, Nippon Paint India is expanding its portfolio beyond the paint and coatings product range; it will now offer products and solutions under the broad categories: Dry mix, Repair and Maintenance, Construction Chemicals, and

Read more ...

Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete Structures and Preventive Measures
When the alkali of cement reacts with the reactive constituents of aggregates, the reaction is deleterious though very slow, and the distress is exhibited when the volume inside the concrete is increased due to the formation of alkali-silica gel, causing the

Read more ...

Optimizing Existing Structures Through Retrofitting
Despite understanding the potential of retrofitting and its distinct and far-reaching advantages in making existing buildings green and sustainable, retrofitting continues to be undertaken on a very limited scale; hence, it needs to be promoted and made mandatory

Read more ...

Cause of Distress of an Old Building Through Analytical and Micro-Analytical Methods
The technical service life of a reinforced concrete building is the time in service when structural safety is unacceptable due to either material degradation or exceeding the load carrying capacity, or both. In which case, the repair strategy may be adopted

Read more ...

Value Engineering with MCI®-2019 for Concrete Maintenance and Repair
True value engineering saves money without reducing service life or affecting the quality of construction or materials. Ideally, it adds value to the project. MCI®-2019 is one such value engineering solution that can extend the service life of existing

Read more ...

Agrani Milestone Use Carbon Fiber Laminates to Strengthen Slab
Ramendra Bahadur Sinha, Managing Director, Agrani Milestone, explains the remedial measures and challenges faced during slab strengthening of a deflected slab at IIT. NBCC India Limited undertook the strengthening of a deflected slab at a G+2 storey IIT building

Read more ...

Waterproofing Challenges & Remedial Measures in High Rise Buildings
High-rise buildings need special attention when it comes to waterproofing as the challenges inherent in them are peculiar in nature. Unfortunately, there is a lack of knowledge on the remedies and products available in the market as water- proofers continue to

Read more ...

Importance of Waterproofing Structures
The longevity of structures depends on how much resistance the building element will offer to water ingress. Water leakage not only reduces the durability but also hampers the serviceability or usability of the structure; hence, a good waterproofing system will

Read more ...

Terrace Waterproofing Solutions for Energy-Efficient Buildings
Terrace waterproofing is particularly important and is considered a priority as the roof is always exposed to harsh climatic conditions and weather changes. Rajeev Gupta, Business Head, ECMAS Construction Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. An effective waterproofing solution

Read more ...

Structural Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Cement concrete is one of the most important construction materials and is practically basic to present-day developments. It is strong enough mechanically, yet vulnerable to deterioration. It thus gets damaged and even fails. This deterioration may be due to the weathering

Read more ...

Thermax - HDPE-SBS Waterproofing System for Basement Waterproofing
Gradual shift in lifestyle has driven the idea of modern construction towards developing underground spaces and buried structures to bring efficiency in use of space. However, the improved efficiency comes with an increase in challenges like infiltration

Read more ...

Waterproofing in Hilly Areas with Sub-Zero Temperatures
Industry experts Kunjan Popat, General Secretary, Waterproofing Association of India; Ramendra Bahadur Sinha, Managing Director, Agrani Enterprises, and MS Sudish, Director, SIWIN Institute of Waterproofing and Insulation, share the challenges

Read more ...

Dow Sealants for Sustainable Infrastructure
Durability is a key requirement for modern infrastructure projects – highways and roads, bridges, airports and airfields, walkways and plazas, parking structures and stadiums. Miles of concrete must

Read more ...

FAIRMATE FAIRCURE WC - White Pigmented Concrete Curing Aid
Buildings have major environmental impacts over their entire life cycle. Resources such as ground cover, forests, water, and energy are depleted to give way to buildings. Today, India has demonstrated

Read more ...

Repair and Rehabilitation of A Minor Bridge in Shravasti District  (UP), India
Scour is a natural phenomenon caused by the erosive action of flowing stream on alluvial beds. Failure of bridge due to scour at their foundations, which in this case consisted of abutments and pier, one 1.2 dia

Read more ...

Faircoat Anti-Carbonation Coating Protects Concrete Structures Like Flyovers, Bridges & Buildings
To protect concrete structures like Flyovers, Bridges, Parking areas, Big Commercial and Residential Buildings, the normal decorative exterior paint will not serve the purpose as these paints are not vapour permeable

Read more ...

Repair Strategy of Stoplog Sill Beams During Operation Stage of 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station in Sikkim
Repair Strategy of Stoplog Sill Beams During Operation Stage of 510 MW Teesta-V Power Station in Sikkim Running Power Stations serve as a boom to the economy of the country and any generation loss due to construction

Read more ...

Concrete Protective Liner by Russian company Hydropolymer
Concrete protective liner is a multipurpose solution for waterproofing and protection of concrete surfaces against corrosion and destruction. The product warranties long-term and reliable protection of structures

Read more ...

Necessity of Health Monitoring of Structures Constructed Before 2000 across India
Sangeeta Pandey, Chief Manager (Civil), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., Patna, PVS Sudhakar, Sr. General Manager (Civil), NOFN Works, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., Vishakhapatnam & Dr. Achintya, Professor of Civil

Read more ...

WATERPROOFING Importance of Filling Cracks, Joints & Voids
Samir Surlaker, Director, Assess Build Chem Private Limited discusses some new joint treatments and injection systems in waterproofing. It is a myth that waterproofing treatments can be carried out by application of single material

Read more ...