Protection against Degradation of Contemporary Face Walls

Abstract

The face wall is a construction element which is exploited in difficult environmental conditions. Its material solutions should effectively protect it against environment influences. But often the desired effect is not obtained – on most objects there is efflorescence along with damages appearing with various intensity, as a result of corrosion processes. Their dynamics depends on various factors. The most important ones include the environment quality and wall structural integrity. In case of face walls, the basic environmental factors are driving rain, long term snow cover, and changing temperatures oscillating about the level of 0 °C. The structural integrity of the wall depends mainly on mortar which aside from obvious supporting function should also protect against water penetration into the wall and thus creating subflorescence. The article systematizes activities related to ensuring correct moisture conditions of the wall and its maintenance in a proper technical state during exploitation.