The Adobe Protection Process

The ultimate goal of this process is to establish a long-lasting, invisible, hydrophobic barrier on the adobe or stucco surface.

1. Preparation and Mitigation (Addressing the Cause)

Protection is only effective if the root causes of moisture intrusion are addressed first.

• Initial Damage Repair: Any existing structural cracks, spalled adobe, or mortar joints must be repaired (as detailed in the previous response) using compatible materials. The protective coating cannot bridge major defects.

• Identify Water Sources: The team conducts a thorough check for issues like leaking gutters, scuppers (drain spouts) that dump water too close to the wall, and sprinkler systems that are spraying the base of the adobe. These sources must be redirected or fixed before sealing.

• Surface Cleaning: The walls are thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, dust, efflorescence (salt deposits), and any loose, chalky material. This ensures the protective product can properly penetrate and bond with the adobe substrate.

2. The Application of Breathable Water Repellent

This is the core of the protection process and requires specialized, professional-grade products.

• Material Selection: The Adobe Guys use high-quality, professional-grade silane/siloxane water repellents that are specifically formulated for adobe, rammed earth, and porous masonry.

  • Crucial Distinction: Not a Sealer or Paint: They use a repellent, not a film-forming sealer or paint. Standard paint and cement-based coatings trap moisture inside the adobe wall, which accelerates deterioration.

• Penetrating Action: Silane/siloxane products work by chemically reacting with the minerals in the adobe. They penetrate deep into the pores of the material.

• Hydrophobic Barrier: Once cured, the product creates an invisible, water-repellent (hydrophobic) surface on the pore walls. This forces liquid water (rain, sprinklers) to bead up and run off.

• Vapor Permeability (The “Breathing” Feature): This is the most critical feature. The repellent prevents liquid water from entering but still allows the adobe wall to exhale water vapor. This ensures any moisture trapped inside the wall (from condensation or rising damp) can escape, preventing internal damage, mold, and brick spalling.

• Application Technique: The product is typically applied using a low-pressure sprayer in a thorough flood coat method. For porous adobe, a “wet on damp” technique (applying subsequent coats before the first one is dry) is often used to ensure deep saturation and maximum coverage without allowing the repellent to dry and repel the subsequent applications.

3. Curing and Final Inspection

• Curing: The product is allowed the necessary time to fully cure, which can take several hours to days depending on humidity and temperature.

• Site Cleanup: All accidental over-spray on windows, landscaping, or concrete is cleaned up immediately, as undiluted product can damage surrounding surfaces if left to dry.

• Water Testing: A final inspection often includes a small-scale water test to demonstrate to the homeowner how effectively the water is now beading and repelling from the protected adobe surface.

• Maintenance Advice: The team advises the homeowner on how long the repellent will last (typically several years) and the proper schedule for re-application to maintain continuous protection.

By utilizing these specialized, breathable treatments, The Adobe Guys Tucson ensure that the home is protected from the desert’s occasional, yet damaging, rain while maintaining the integrity and historic character of the adobe material itself.