External Wall Insulation systems are often misunderstood to be maintenance free. The systems are designed to be “low maintenance” (not no maintenance!) requiring basic housekeeping measures to uphold the quality of the finish. The natural process of rainfall will remove surface dust and some airborne carbonisation. However, stubborn stains or biological growth should be treated with regular cleaning.
Biological growth (or algae) is often the reason behind green or black stains on render. Although all organisms need different environments to grow, rural areas are at an increased risk of micro-biological build up. A rural area has moderate to high levels of vegetation, often located near to environmental features. Open fields, open water, wooded areas, coasts and bodies of standing water are all influencing factors. Algae growth is due to these uncontrollable environmental circumstances, and not related to the quality of the product, or the application.
It’s important to observe any changes in the appearance of the system and to treat any issues if they arise. If you have signs of algae growth, we advise that you act before the problem has the chance to proliferate across the system. If left untreated, algae can spread very quickly. Over time this will not only impact the appearance, but also the performance of the system.
Algae isn’t the only factor that can impact the finish of External Wall Insulation. While urban areas are less likely to see algae, high volumes of traffic and busy roads can result in pollution stains and a risk of graffiti and accidental damage. Maintenance in these areas may not be needed as often, but a regular cleaning and damage assessment is recommended to ensure the system is up-kept.
The appropriate cleaning process is dependent on the severity of the issue. Small areas of discolouration can be removed fairly easily using a specialist cleaning product. However, in circumstances where algae has been allowed to multiply, cleaning can become an extensive process. It’s important to understand that cleaning an external wall system requires care and attention to detail. Serious damage can be caused to the system by incorrect cleaning methods. So seek professional advice before attempting this yourself!
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