ROTAFIX RESEARCH

Rotafix has developed its solvent free technology over the last three decades and designed high performance water repellent treatments for concrete structures subject to severe weather and exposure to chemical attack. Now you can benefit from this technology by replacing silicones with Vinachem: improved resistance to wind driven rain water with easy one coat application.

THE PROBLEM

Buildings and structures are subject to a wide variety of defects caused by the penetration of rain water. Many of these defects are expensive to rectify and include timber decay, plaster damage, salting on decorative surfaces and mould growth.
Traditional treatments have been mainly based on the external application of silicone in a white spirit (solvent) carrier. When the white spirit evaporates into the atmosphere a pore lining of silicone is left in the building material.
Unfortunately this method has many disadvantages. Firstly, it causes a harmful and expensive hydrocarbon solvent to escape into the air. Secondly, it is restricted to ‘cured’ or old DRY surfaces: it cannot effectively be applied to wet surfaces or green concrete.

Further, pore lining does not always work: sometimes it makes matters worse by effectively channelling moisture down the lined pores, deeper into the building material. This effect is especially noticed in buildings made of random stone or solid brick, in areas exposed to wind driven rain.

THE SOLUTION

Apply a single coat of Vinachem, an aqueous acrylic polymer, in an emulsion of very low viscosity and surface tension, and of fine particle size.
The combination of these characteristics allows the material to penetrate deeply into many types of of substrate, thereby providing a highly water resistant polymer barrier. However, this barrier is micro porous and therefore breathes, thus allowing the structure to dry out when conditions allow.
The acrylic polymer is highly resistant to attack by ground water and other salts and is therefore particularly recommended in seaside and high exposure areas. Floors and walls must be checked for porosity by water splash to ensure the treatment material will be absorbed . A small test area should be assessed using Vinachem if there is any doubt about the surfaces ‘suction’. It is also important to ensure the final surface appearance is acceptable to the client.

Surfaces that can be treated:

• Quarry or slab floors – these usually lack a vapour proof membrane and are therefore difficult to maintain.
• Concrete floors – concrete or screeded floors can be directly coated to prevent dusting and provide a sealed but breathing surface.
• External walls – almost all types of porous building material will benefit from treatment provided that the repair work necessary to eliminate cracks, fissures and defective pointing has been effectively performed.
• New and repaired surfaces – Vinachem is not affected by the initial high alkalinity of cement and concrete, so coating can proceed without delay. (With standard silicone solutions a minimum of 6 weeks curing should be allowed.)

BENEFITS

• Only one coat required, easy to brush or spray
• The prevention of penetrating dampness by wind driven rain
• Ability to tolerate salt water spray
• Tolerance to the strongly alkali substrates such as new pointing and fresh rendering
• Solvent free, non flammable
• Easily removed from equipment with water, whilst uncured
• Ability to penetrate and cure on damp surfaces
• The formation of a layer rather than just lining pores, gives powerful protection compared to silicones

Note

Highly fissured or poorly pointed walls are not suitable for coating. Vinachem is not suitable as a membrane material and cannot be used to prevent water from moving under hydrostatic pressure.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Rotafix is a research led Company dedicated to supplying materials and expertise to the Civil Engineering, Building and Remedial Industries. Our technical support extends nationwide through our team of Area Technical Advisors and recommended contractors. You need look no further for in depth support with Specification and site assistance.

Tel: +44 (0)1639 730481
Fax: +44 (0)1639 730858
General Enquiry: sales@rotafix.co.uk
Technical Enquiry: daverotafix@aol.com