water damage

Water may be the source of life, but many argue that it is also responsible for over 75% of damage to buildings, and this is not from flooding. 

The most common cause of water damage, aside from severe weather, wind and hail, is constant exposure to wet or damp conditions that cause rust, rot, warping and cracks, as well as mould and musty smells.  

Water damage can also be caused by blocked drains or gutters dripping onto the patio, organic material and debris rotting on a deck, leaking taps or appliances such as air-conditioner extractors.  

Inappropriate material selection necessary for the environmental conditions can also lead to water damage, and therefore, constant maintenance, repair and worst case, replacement. 

Watery ways 

Water doesn’t only enter by rain or direct contact in its liquid form, but also by capillary action as a vapour or moisture from humidity.  

It can cause materials to expand and contract, as well as react with other elements such as chemicals, pollutants or spores and fungi – causing physical, chemical or biological damage to the structure. 

Consequently, it’s very important to understand the effects of water on the chosen substrates within the environmental context of a proposed project.

water damage

The most common cause of water damage, aside from severe weather, wind and hail, is constant exposure to wet or damp conditions.

Material performance 

The effect of water ingress on building materials is much more sinister and much less obvious than the destruction, or subsidence, caused by flooding.  

Lesser volumes of water have far greater potential to inflict significant structural damage, even to the most durable building materials such as concrete, wood or steel.  

Fortunately, modern building materials, such as advanced bamboo composites, have been engineered to overcome these shortcomings and are impervious to the deceptive effects of water. 

Bamboo composites 

Made from recycled plastic extruded with resilient bamboo cellulose, Eva-Last’s extensive range of bamboo composites is available in the advanced formulations of Pioneer, Apex, Infinity and Eva-Tech material technologies. 

These hi-tech compounds are suited to specific product applications, providing an all-important moisture barrier with inherent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. This naturally prevents the swelling and degradation typical of wooden decks.  

Enhanced surface materials provide sought-after timber tones and textures, with added protection from scratches, slips or sun damage. 

water damage

Enhanced surface materials provide sought-after timber tones and textures, with added protection from scratches, slips or sun damage.

Wooden appeal  

Eva-Last composites offer the aesthetic appeal of wood without its water sensitivity or appeal to termites, mould or fungi. All materials have been tested and proven to withstand water absorption or moisture content to prevent the swelling, warping, cracking and rotting typical of wooden decks and cladding.  

Notably, the cellulose-polymer composition does not provide nutrition for fungi or mould to grow, boasting a fungal resistance of 0,77% to 0,91% to various spores and a termite resistance of 0,77%.  

“At Eva-Last, we understand the destructive impact water can have on building materials. This is why we have engineered our bamboo composites to withstand the harshest environmental conditions, ensuring our products remain beautiful and resilient, regardless of the weather,” asserts Marc Minne, Eva-Last’s chief executive officer and co-founder. 

 

Issue: Understanding the causes and types of water damage in decking. 

Solution: Bamboo composite decking delivers the aesthetic appeal of wood without its water sensitivity or appeal to termites, mould or fungi. 

 

Reference:  

1: https://www.thermosurvey.co.uk/faq/how-does-water-effect-building-materials/ 

 

For more information, contact Eva-Last: 

Tel: +27 10 593 9220 

Email: sales@eva-last.com  

Website: https://www.eva-last.co.za/ 

Subscribe to our Community👇

Stay Inspired, Stay Educated, Stay Informed.

This is how people in the built environment do it!

By subscribing you agree to receive our promotional marketing materials. You may unsubscribe at any time. We keep your data private.