Your facade can suffer significant damage from moisture. An effective method of avoiding potential damage is to have hydrofuge performed. This blog will give you a comprehensive understanding of what hydrofuge entails and how it can protect your facade from the adverse effects of moisture.

This article answers the following questions:

What is hydrofuge?

Hydrofuge is a form of facade treatment. This involves applying a type of treatment or coating to the facade with the aim of making this wall water repellent. The coating then forms a kind of protection for your facade, preventing penetrating moisture or the water from a leaking gutter from making its way inside, and consequently avoiding the adverse effects of these moisture problems. Hydrofuge thus offers an effective method for permanently protecting the facade from external influences.

Hydrophobizing versus impregnating

Commonly used synonyms for hydrofuge or hydrophobizing are facade impregnation or impregnating facades. However, there is a slight difference between the two terms:

  • Hydrophobizing is a form of impregnation specifically aimed at making a surface water repellent.
  • Impregnation, on the other hand, is a broader term. It refers to treating materials for various purposes, including improving water-repellent properties.

Why it's best to have your facade hydrophobized

What makes considering hydrofuge worthwhile? This is because this facade treatment brings a few benefits:

  • Protection against external influences. Hydrofuge protects the facade from weather conditions, such as rain or frost, that can damage it.
  • Avoiding moisture problems. The protective coating prevents penetrating moisture or water resulting from a leaking pipe from penetrating the facade.
  • The facade also stays cleaner longer. Different forms of dirt, including moss, and mold, will have a much harder time forming. The dirt that forms will also be a lot easier to remove.
  • The coating is also completely transparent, so nothing changes the appearance of the home.
  • It also preserves breathability of the facade. This allows it to dry out properly without absorbing moisture.

Steps to a water-repellent facade: here's how hydrofuge works

Hydrophobing a facade involves several steps. Typically, a moisture expert proceeds as follows:

1. Inspection of the facade

The first step is a thorough inspection of the facade. It is essential to assess the current condition of the facade and determine if it is eligible for hydrofuge. During this inspection, any alternatives are also considered. For example, if the moisture expert determines that there is no penetrating moisture but rather rising moisture, hydrofuge is not the most appropriate solution. In such cases, injection of the walls is required.

The goal is to choose the most appropriate treatment method and ensure its effectiveness.

2. Taking precautions

Before the hydrofuge process begins, necessary precautions are taken:

  • A thorough facade cleaning is carried out, making the exterior walls completely clean, grease and moss free. This is crucial for professional application and to obtain effective results.
  • Window frames and windows should also be carefully protected to prevent accidental staining.

These preparatory steps are critical to ensure that the hydrofuge can adhere effectively.

3. Hydrophobing

The application of the hydrofugant is the final step in the process. The product is sprayed over the façade. There are several types of hydrofuge on the market, including both chemical and biological varieties. The chosen hydrofuge then penetrates deep into the pores of the facade, and after drying out, it becomes completely invisible.

This water-repellent layer forms an effective barrier against moisture and other external influences, keeping the facade permanently protected. The result is a facade that is not only water repellent, but also stays clean longer and resists various forms of dirt, such as moss, algae and mold.

What does hydrofuge cost?

It is difficult to set a fixed price for a hydrofuge. In fact, there are many factors that can affect the price tag. Some of these factors include:

  • The size of the facade
  • The accessibility of the facade
  • The specific product
  • The cleaning of the facade
  • ...

We recommend that you hire a professional to hydrofuge your facade. A professional can advise on the condition of the facade and whether a hydrofuge is the appropriate solution. In addition, a specialist is aware of effective products that provide long-term protection.

Do you have a moisture problem, and suspect it could be penetrating moisture? Our field engineers are true experts when it comes to this moisture problem. Contact AquaConsult now for a free, no-obligation expertise.

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