Four Ways to Protect and Restore Your Façade
Over time, even well-maintained buildings can develop façade issues, from loose bricks to water infiltration, and each requires a different approach.
Here are four ways to protect and restore existing façades, using products we recommend for restoration work.
Seal Failed Joints
Failed sealant joints are a common source of water infiltration, particularly around windows and other façade transitions.
Momentive's SilPruf Weatherseal line includes 100% silicone sealants that remain flexible and hold up well against UV, weather exposure, and extreme temperatures. They're designed to maintain a weather-resistant seal even as joints expand and contract.
The SilPruf line includes several formulations built for different joint conditions. SCS2000 is commonly used around curtainwalls and glazed aluminum systems, while SCS2700 LM is intended for joints with higher movement requirements. For natural stone and other stain-sensitive substrates, there's SCS9000 NB.
Something to keep in mind: If the existing sealant has failed, find out why. Was it poor adhesion? Too much movement? Simply replacing the sealant without addressing the original problem may leave you with the same issue down the road.
Repair Deteriorated Stone, Terracotta & Brick
Matching the original masonry is one of the challenges with repairing deteriorated stone, terracotta, and brick. The repair material needs to be compatible with the existing substrate, and the finished work should blend in seamlessly with the surrounding façade.
Conproco's Matrix family of repair mortars is designed to restore natural and cast stone, terracotta, and brick while matching the color and texture of the existing masonry.
The Matrix line includes several formulations for different repair conditions. Matrix is a trowel-applied mortar that can be shaped to recreate damaged architectural details. Matrix Superfine provides a smoother finish for fine-detail repairs, while Matrix TR is designed for thin patching and protective repairs. And for repairs that require the use of pourable molds, there's Matrix VE.
As with any masonry repair, the existing substrate needs to be evaluated first. Severely deteriorated or unstable masonry may require replacement or additional repairs before patching.
Stabilize and Reinforce Masonry
When masonry starts separating from its backup wall, or cracks and bulges begin to appear, the repair doesn't always require removing and rebuilding large sections of the wall.
Helifix offers a range of helical ties and reinforcement systems designed to stabilize existing masonry with minimal disturbance to the surrounding façade.
Helifix offers several systems for addressing different masonry conditions. DryFix can reconnect masonry to its backup, while CemTie is used to stabilize solid masonry and reconnect separated walls. For bowing or bulging walls, BowTie anchors the masonry to the building's internal floor or ceiling joists to help prevent further outward movement. HeliBar can also be used to reinforce cracked masonry and repair failed lintels.
These systems allow contractors to address specific masonry problems without unnecessarily disturbing sound material. Before choosing a repair approach, however, it's important to evaluate the existing wall, including its construction, the extent of movement, and what's causing the failure.
Protect Masonry from Water Infiltration
Even when the masonry is in good condition, porous exterior walls can be vulnerable to wind-driven rain. Silicone architectural coatings can help protect these surfaces from water infiltration while still allowing moisture vapor to escape.
Momentive offers two silicone architectural coatings for these applications: Optic™ and SilShield™.
Optic translucent coating is a 100% silicone elastomeric membrane that creates a breathable, waterproof barrier over the façade. It allows the existing color and texture of the masonry to remain visible, making it a good option when you want to preserve a building's appearance.
SilShield 3100 coating is a pigmented, 100% silicone elastomeric coating that provides weather protection with an opaque finish. It's available in a wide range of colors, including 77 standard colors and custom tints, so it can also be used when the project calls for a new look.
Both coatings are vapor-permeable, which is beneficial for masonry where trapped moisture can contribute to deterioration.
While both coatings can cover minor holes, cracks, and surface irregularities, they're not designed to correct deteriorated masonry, failed joints, or other underlying problems. Those repairs need to be addressed before the coating goes on.
Working on a façade restoration project?
BRT represents these products in the metro NYC market and can help you determine which ones make sense for your project. Contact us to learn more.
