Rain Stops Play for Ex-Pats

Rain Stops Play for Ex-Pats Many owners of holiday homes around the Mediterranean and beyond have discovered that the sunshine isn’t constant. When it rains, it is often torrential, finding every small point of entry around the property. As a result of the heavy rainfall, interior decorations get ruined; the warm damp atmosphere is perfect for mould growth. The fact is, that holiday properties have not always been built to the same standards that we expect in the UK. This applies to both new-build properties and older places that have often been modernised. Although attention has been paid to the roof, ensuring that there are no cracked or missing tiles etc. no one expects the water to come in through balconies and walls, or even through the floor. Balconies are often beautifully tiled, and the last thing anyone wants to do is rip it all up to install a waterproof membrane. With decorations and contents stored below in danger of ruin, doing nothing is not an option. In many cases, the application of DO-IT-ALL, a clear acrylic sealer that penetrates the minute cracks and fissures where water is entering, is all that is required. DO-IT-ALL is a clear sealer which therefore doesn’t spoil the appearance of the tiles, and some customers say that it even enhances the appearance. Do-IT-ALL can also be applied to painted surfaces, and so existing masonry finishes can also be treated where moisture penetration is suspected. Natural stone and brick walls are often solid and can be of considerable thickness. This is very often the case in older cottages and barn conversions. Their ability to keep the occupants and contents dry is dependent upon the rate of absorption within the fabric of the wall, and also the opportunity to allow that residual moisture to escape back into the atmosphere when the weather is dry. It has been said that a building is like the human body, the skin must be able to “breathe” in order for it to remain healthy. With climate change come changes in the weather patterns. Rain is often constant for days on end, with no “let-up” to allow some of the absorbed moisture to escape. Even when it does stop raining, the ground is so sodden that relative humidity is high, preventing significant water evaporation to occur. Aqua-Repel, applied to natural stone, bricks and mortar, is absorbed into the surface, and prevents further water penetration whilst allowing residual moisture to escape.