Exteriors, Capillary Action, and a Passive Moisture Control Solution
- Mark Maier
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
CAPILLARY ACTION
Capillary action is defined as wicking moisture that moves from areas of elevated moisture content to areas of lower moisture content. It's best solved through the use of capillary breaks (impermeable materials, air spaces and damp-proofing materials) that prevent absorption. To start, let's kick things off on the exterior building where moisture from wind-driven rain permeates semi-porous exterior surfaces such as brick, mortar, stone, aggregate, EIFS, stucco and other materials.
Wind-Driven Rain and Exterior Waterproofing with X4
Moisture from wind-driven rain can gradually or abruptly raise the moisture content of exterior materials like concrete, aggregate, mortar joints, EIFS, stucco, wood, and composite materials. As moisture content increases, mold, moss, algae and other unsightly biologicals can grow and spread. In addition, from season to season, this increased moisture content, especially through freeze-thaw cycles, can lead to unrecoverable expansion, contraction and erosion of surfaces, drastically reducing their life expectancy. Finally, as increased moisture content wicks or migrates (as liquid or vapor) gradually into the structure substrates and cavities without the ability to dry, conditions that support mold growth are likely to occur.
While there are numerous materials that can be applied to exterior semi-porous surfaces to prevent water absorption, it's critical to choose a material that sheds moisture from the environment while not interrupted the natural permeability of the surfaces being protected. That's what you get with Enviroguard's X4 formula.
X4 Technology
X4 works by bonding to surfaces in a vertical orientation. Moisture sits on top of thevertically aligned molecule preventing surface contact and absorption. By keeping surfaces dry, the normal wear and tear associated with water's ability to erode from movement and alkalinity is eliminated thereby reducing maintenance and repair costs over time.
Preventing Damage, Looking Better
X4's ability to eliminate moisture absorption and to keep water out of semi-porous surfaces, prior to freezing temperatures, is a priority in preventing the expansion and contraction cycles associated with seasonal freeze/thaw. This dramatically increases the longevity of surfaces to minimize maintenance and repair costs. X4 is hydrophobic (water-hating) and because X4 is cationic (has a positive charge), X4 naturally resists dirt accumulation and prevents the adhesion of water-based paints. This feature helps reduce or prevent unplanned for restoration expenses. While X4 eliminates the capillary absorption of moisture into surfaces, it does not clog the pores or capillaries of a substrate thereby maintaining a building's vapor permeability.
X4 can also be incorporated into products like concrete, cement and paints to provide superior adhesion and curing as well as to impart the same resistance to water, dirt andwater-based paint already described.
Longevitity and Maintaining Efficacy
X4 is expected to last 5 to 15 years on exterior surfaces. However, since a number of environmental factors can impact longevity, a simple Rilem test to monitor moisture resistance can be used to indicate or predict maintenance over time.
Learn more about X4 and adding it as a new profit center!
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