ΪIΪ R
Compositions, system and method of Controlling Damp and/or Mould
This invention is concerned with compositions, a system and a method of controlling damp or mould in building structures such as houses, flats and the like. The technical field to which the invention relates is the field of damp and mould control and use of the present invention can avoid the need to insert a damp proof course in existing building structures.
In virtually all properties be they old or modern, there is generally no effective seal between the floor/wall joints. According to my hypothesis prior assumptions about "rising damp" are mistaken, instead it is almost invariably due to the heavy rise of vapour (frequently under considerable pressure) from a damp sub- site and through the floor/wall joints. The water vapour condenses on the cold wall surfaces at low level resulting in dampness, degradation of the wall (plaster) and/or mould growth which have conventionally indicated the "rising damp" phenomenon.
In olden times the omission of the floor/wall joint was of little consequen.ce. In such times
properties generally had less well-fitting doors and windows coupled with the general use of one or more coal or log fires to create a warm, well ventilated environment within the home, generally maintained throughout the day. Houses were generally draughtier, had thicker walls and lower-density plasters than are currently used in modern times. Decorative materials applied to internal walls were also more permeable and therefore those wall surfaces were not as prone to degrade as a result of what I theorise comprises vapour rise. In modern times dwelling houses generally have restricted ventilation, thinner walls, insufficient heating, high density internal plasters, together with generally efficient waterproof membranes in solid floors. Such waterproof membranes may comprise polythene sheeting or floor surfaces such as mastic asphalt and thermoplastic tiles. These conditions can give rise to this "vapour-rise" phenomenon at the edges of floors,coupled with a considerable pressure from the traditionally unsealed wall/floor joint. The problem may be further aggravated with colder cavity brick walls and hard dense trowelled plasters which are frequently given a first decoration with a vapour-barrier emulsion. According" to my hypotheses this can ςive rise to low-lev-:.], condensation
which readily causes recrystallization and decay of the plaster and/or cause the growth of mould such as "Black Spot" - the familiar Aspergillus niger which is rapidly becoming a severe problem.
The increasing use of sealed window and door units, draughtproofing and modern methods of heating used only intermittently throughout the day can provide the ideal micro-climate for vapour condensation and subsequent mould growth. Accordingly this "Black Spot" mould flourishes especially where static pockets of cold air are created in corners.
The present invention seeks to provide a composition, method and system useful in controlling, reducing or preventing, (i) damp conditions in wall structures and/or (ii) the occurrence and reappearance of mould growth in such damp conditions.
Almost without exception, modern methods of damp- proofing are based on the former hypotheses that water moves vertically upwards in masonry throughout its thickness, from the soil (sub-site) on which it stands. This generally is explained as "capillarity". It has also been assumed that for those walls situated below ground level, water moves laterally through it under hydraulic or hydrostatic pressure.
Little meaningful research into this former
hypothesis has been carried out and those instruments currently available which purport to evaluate movement of water only serve to confirm the visual evidence of dampness on the wall faces and lead one to accept this explanation as being the only possible explanation for the presence of the water.
It is on this basis of rather flimsy evidence obtained by such instruments that damp-proofing systems hitherto have consisted of placing a physical barrier in the path of the water. This may be either insertion of a strip of waterproof material, i.e. a damp proof course (DPC) into the wall at a predetermined level or by using a waterproof "tanking" internally, in the case of a basement wall where lateral water movement has been assumed.
There is an alternative method used particularly in the case of older buildings having solid walls which are not necessarily of brick construction. It comprises injection into the walls of a damp-proofing liquid typically silicones or stearates. Various types of electro-osmotic apparatus have also been used but this practice is decreasing.
An essential part of any of these existing treatments for rising damp, consists of hacking off the existing plaster/render from the affected walls to a
height of at least one metre above floor level and then subsequently re-plastering.
My hypothesis with regard to "vapour-rise" at the unsealed floor/wall joint has been developed after considerable research into the problem and extensive practical work on many types of buildings. I have surprisingly found that, except in the case where an actual leakage of water occurs through a building defect, the dampness in walls previously explained as "rising damp" is due to the heavy rise of water vapour and condensation thereof.
The prevailing damp conditions can lead to the black spot mould discussed above. The mould is conventionally treated by a surface application of an aqueous fungicide or by adding a fungicide to the setting or "skimming" coat of plaster at its time of application. The former treatment has little long term effect and the latter is rarely applied under carefully supervised conditions.
The prolonged exposure of ordinary wall plasters to condensation can cause recrystallization of the finishing coat which then absorbs water from the atmosphere hygroscopically. This water can then move inwardly through the rendering to penetrate the masonry face and bonding mortar. In the final stages of plaster decay it becomes discoloured and exhibits the familiar "blowing"
and salt precipitation. Much of this degradation initiated by condensation can arise from normal domestic water vapour in conditions of insufficient heat and restricted ventilation. In my hypothesis wherever floor/wall joints are left unsealed, which is usually the case, then the heavy migration of water vapour from a damp sub-site can occur, usually under heavy pressure, significantly contributing .to this condensation problem. Therefore a more rapid degrade of the plaster can occur since the walls are colder and less ventilated at their bases.
Whilst ideally the condensation should be prevented altogether, in practice .this is quite unattainable. Nevertheless, the invention seeks to provide a system which will assist reduction of condensation problems on wall renderings. As will be seen from the following description, the system makes use of a hydraulic seal across the floor/wall joint.
According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a plaster or rendering composition suitable for wall surfaces and comprising cement, hydrated lime, vermiculite, and perlite together with a mouldicide and/or fungicide.
The plaster or rendering composition in accordance with the first aspect may optionally include pigment,
which pigment is preferably yellow ochre pigment powder. Some of the vermiculite may be replaced by a specially treated fly or fuel ash processed as cenospheres. However, this partial replacement is optional according to conditions and economics.
In this plaster or rendering composition it is preferred that the cement comprises an ordinary Portland cement and the hydrated lime is "Buxton" grade. Most preferably the vermiculite is exfoliated vermiculite and has an average particle size in the a range 1 - 3 mm. The perlite (which may be expanded perlite) preferably has an average particle size in a range 0.15 - 2 mm. A mouldicide and/or fungicide useful in this composition according to the first aspect may comprise that product manufactured and sold by Imperial Chemical Industries under the trade name "DENSIL" which contains alkyl sulphonyl halogenated pyridine.
Preferred minimum
Component Percentage amounts based on total weight. a) Cement, at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, preferably Portland Cement by weight b) Hydrated Lime at least 15%, preferably at least 20% by weight c) Vermiculite, at least 1.5%, preferably at least 2%, preferably exfoliated by weight vermiculite, expediently grade V2,
d) Perlite, at least 2.0%, preferably at least 2.75%, expediently grade 15 by weight e) Mouldicide at least 0.001%, preferably at least 0.002%, and/or Fungicide by weight
f) Pigment at least 0.15%, preferably at least 0.2%, by weight, when present g) Fly ash at least 0.5%, preferably 1% by weight, preferably processed as when present. cenospheres
According to a second aspect the invention further provides the use of a set composition comprising cement, inert filler and polymer adhesive component(s) in forming an hydraulic seal between a wall and a floor in a building.
Th*-_- composition according to the second aspect may
be in the form of a narrow diagonal fillet which may be unaffected by floor vibration but which may adhere to wood and to damp masonry. In this composition cement such as Portland cement/inert filler such as mineral fibre may be used in proportions of 1: 1 which when mixed with a polymer adhesive component(s) (such as epoxy resin) and clean water can set to form a pressure resistant hydraulic seal across the floor/wall joint. This seal can be used below the condensation affected area of plaste /rendering to prevent or significantly reduce vapour rise at this weak point. The set composition preferably includes a water-resistant -agent, for example a silicone powder.
The invention further provides in a third aspect a system useful in controlling conditions of damp and/or mould in wall plasters or renderings which comprises a plaster or rendering component according to the first aspect of the invention and a polymer adhesive composition as defined in the second aspect and preferably also a fungicidal and/or mouldicidal acrylic emulsion for use in coating said plaster or rendering component.
Each of these components in accordance with the third aspect may be utilised in their own right for the purposes for which they are specified. However, it is
most preferred that all of these components should, where appropriate, be utilised together to provide an overall system for controlling condensation-derived damp conditions and/or mould infestation such as "Black Spot" , and thereby to discourage the conditions which may give rise to both degradation of existing rendering/plaster and/or the occurrence of mould growth.
Examples of suitable of plaster or rendering component are presented for illustration only:
Example 1
(a) Cement - 1 Kg.
(b) Hydrated Lime - 0.5 Kg.
(c) Vermiculite - 75 g.
(d) Perlite - 50 g.
(e) Mouldicide (a small quantity) such as the product DENSIL S100 as manufactured by ICI PLC containing alkyl sulphonyl halogenated pyridine.
(f) Yellow ochre pigment - approximately 17 - 20 g.
Example 2 Example 3
(a) Cement 50 kg 50 kg
(b) Hydrated Lime 17.5 kg 20 kg
(c) Vermiculite 1.5 .kg 2.kg
(d) Perlite 4.5 kg 5 kg
(e) Mouldicide 2 grammes DENSIL S100 3 grammes
(f) Pigment 0.2 kg 0.4 kg
(g) Fly ash 1 kg 2.5 kg
The above lightweight aggregate-based render or plaster composition can be trowelled to an acceptable finish in one coat and may adhere well to most types of background. It is designed additionally to have a slow set, partially by evaporation, in order not to dry out in advance of the background to which it has been applied. Cement is a setting agent, lime increases the plasticity. The aggregate is inert and
may not suffer from recrystallization and consequent degrade in damp conditions which normally affect traditional finishing plasters.
Perlite is an extremely lightweight mineral. Some
- of the perlite floats to the surface as the product is trowelled on. This gives a smooth finish to the aggregate of nearly the same quality as a finishing plaster' and accordingly obviates the need to apply any kind of finishing coat. In addition, Perlite is an
-~ insulating material and as such assists in keeping the wall surface slightly above dew point and prevents condensation forming on the wall, thereby dramatically reducing the conditions -for the formation of "Black Spot" mould.
-~ The vermiculite used is most preferably an exfoliated mineral. It has the capacity to act like a sponge. In the wet mix the mouldicide is taken up by the vermiculite. The vermiculite is evenly distributed through he depth of the applied aggregate and the
20 mouldicide may not leach out of the aggregate even in damp or humid conditions. The mouldicide may accordingly remain effective for the life of the aggregate. The problems of 'leaching' which has been attendant on all attempts to add mouldicides to wall
25 surfaces can be significantly reduced.
The addition of the perlite and vermiculite to the aggregate has the additional benefit of producing an aggregate having a weight reduction of approximately 25% over traditional aggregates/plasters. This has the 5 benefit of firstly, in terms of overall weight being easier to handle and secondly, allowing a thicker coat to be achieved in one application. After mixing this plaster/render component w.i.th water to obtain a consistency appropriate to the wall structure, it can be
- - applied directly to exposed masonry following removal of the old rendering and finish plasters using conventional plastering methods to e.g. a minimum thickness of -10 mm and e.g. up to a maximum of 20 mm in one coat. Accordingly, in one application the same thickness can be 5 applied as the ambient aggregate/render/plaster. This capability is particularly useful in relation to using the product for 'patching' of affected walls and for DIY application, as well as for ease of finishing.
The pigment is added to provide a distinctive pale 0 cream colour and also to eliminate a "patchy" appearance when the product is dry. If the pigment is not used a cement-like grey appearance will be obtained which can be patchy and visually unattractive. The component would still, however, function adequately in controlling damp 5 and/or mould.
The amount of water to be added to the plaster/rendering component will always vary in accordance with the density, porosity and wetness of the background and it may be necessary to wet the surface of a very dry brick wall thoroughly to avoid rapid migration of the mixing water into the background.
The second component in the system when needed comprises the water-resistant sealing fillet. Example 4 below gives details of one composition useful in forming 0 such a sealing fillet; Example 4
A copolymer silicone - impregnated powder mixture was formulated as follows: Silver Sand (micaceous) 3.0% by weight 5 Portland Cement 30.0% by weight
Filler Sand 15.0% by weight
Exfoliated Vermiculite (grade V2) 4.0% by weight Bentonite 3.0% by weight
Fibre Reinforcement 0.6% by weight 0 Polymer 3.7% by weight
Silicone Powder 0.003% by weight
The components were mixed with water to form a workable composition applied in the form of a diagonal fillet (approximately 2 cm by 2 cm) across a floor/wall *-> joint. This seal rαay be used between a solid or wooden
floor and a vertical masonry wall. In such a shape and dimension the sealing fillet need not interfere with the fitting of skirting boards. Some adjustment of a skirting board may be effected if necessary. When in place and set this fillet forms a hydraulic and pressure resistant vapour seal.
"Black Spot" mould often occurs at low level. No matter how well a floor is..sealed, moisture laden air can still be forced under pressure from the subsoil, through the unsealed floor/wall joint. The water content can condense on to the existing plaster or rendering at low level and it is this which can encourage the growth of mould. In my hypothesis the smaller the gap between the floor/wall the greater the vapour pressure. Details are now provided of an acrylic emulsion paint component as Example 5. Example 5
An ordinary, commercially available, acrylic paint emulsion was used. 3 grammes per 2.5 litres of the liquid mouldicide DENSIL S100 in aqueous solution was added to confer fungicidal or mouldicidal properties.
Acrylic paints generally have a pH of more than seven and are therefore alkaline. The plaster or rendering component of this invention wil] also be
alkaline and thus compatible. Accordingly "flaking" of the paint may not occur in damp conditions. The surface of this paint is slightly porous as is the plaster or rendering component behind it, thus taking advantage of
5 the full depth of the mouldicide or fungicide. The mouldicide added to the acrylic emulsion provides an initial barrier against the formation of mould growth. This emulsion also serves to seal the dry surface of the plaster or rendering component behind it to prevent
10 dusting. It can also allow a reasonable degree of permeability and therefore not significantly interfere with the drying out of the plaster or rendering component.
The acrylic emulsion when used in this system can
15 serve as the first decoration.
The accompanying drawing illustrates the components, system and a method of applying it. Figure 1 shows a floor 1 and wall structure 2 in a room 3. A render according to the first aspect is trowelled onto damp masonry 5 to form a
20 layer 4 on the wall. The joint 6 between wall and floor is sealed with a diagonal fillet 7 of set composition according to the second aspect. When the layer 4 is sufficiently dry or set it can be covered with the fungicidal acrylic emulsion (not shown). A small gap 8 may be left between the
-*■' fillet and render to assist location of any skirting.