Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Salt-retardant substrate treatment systems
Technical product reference for salt-retardant substrate treatments applied to masonry and concrete substrates before re-rendering — crystalline, silicate and silane-based penetrating treatments to reduce capillary salt migration.
What are salt-retardant substrate treatments?
Salt-retardant substrate treatments are penetrating or crystalline products applied to masonry and concrete substrates before renovating render application to reduce capillary salt migration through the substrate. They include silicate-based crystalline treatments (which react with free lime in the substrate to form insoluble calcium silicate crystals that block capillary pores) and silane/siloxane-based water-repellent treatments (which line the substrate pores with a hydrophobic layer to reduce liquid water transport while maintaining vapour permeability).
Product Reference
3 products — 3 brands — salt-retardant substrate treatment systems only — scroll to view all
Sika Sikacryl-621
Crystalline / silicate substrate treatment for salt-affected masonry
System Description
TODO: owner confirm — Sika Australia product name for crystalline or silicate substrate salt-retardant treatment. Sika supplies penetrating and crystalline treatments for concrete and masonry protection. Confirm the current Sika Australia product recommended for substrate pre-treatment before salt-resistant renovating render application on salt-affected facades. Applied by brush or spray to prepared substrate. Allow to cure before applying primer and render system. Confirm system compatibility with Sika Australia technical.
Technical Properties
- Penetrating crystalline or silicate treatment — blocks capillary pores through crystal formation
- Applied by brush or spray to dry or damp substrate
- Reduces capillary transport of salt-laden moisture
Limitations
- TODO: owner confirm — exact Sika product name for salt-retardant substrate treatment before re-rendering
- Not a waterproofing system under hydraulic pressure
- Does not address moisture ingress from active water source
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Remmers Sulfatex
Silane-modified substrate treatment for salt-affected masonry
System Description
Remmers Sulfatex is a silane-modified penetrating treatment for masonry substrates subject to sulfate and chloride salt attack — designed as part of the Remmers WTA renovating render system. Applied to prepared masonry substrate before primer and renovating render to reduce capillary moisture transport and salt migration. TODO: owner confirm — Remmers Sulfatex product name and specification for Australian market. Confirm current product designation and system sequence with Remmers Australia technical before specifying.
Technical Properties
- Silane-modified penetrating treatment
- Reduces capillary moisture transport in masonry
- Part of the Remmers WTA renovating render system
Limitations
- TODO: owner confirm — Remmers Sulfatex product name and availability in Australia
- Confirm system sequence with Remmers Australia technical
- Not suitable for substrates under active hydraulic pressure
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
Aquron 2000 is an Australian-supplied reactive silicate crystalline treatment for concrete and masonry substrates. Applied by spray or brush — reacts with free calcium hydroxide in the substrate to form calcium silicate crystals that permanently seal capillary pores. Used as a substrate sealing treatment before render application on salt-affected and salt-contaminated substrates. Aquron Services Australia is a specialist supplier — confirm current product specification, recommended application rate and system compatibility with Aquron Services before specifying. TODO: owner confirm — confirm Aquron 2000 suitability as pre-render substrate treatment for salt-affected masonry facades.
Technical Properties
- Reactive silicate crystalline treatment
- Permanently seals capillary pores by crystal formation
- Australian-supplied through Aquron Services
Limitations
- TODO: owner confirm — suitability of Aquron 2000 as pre-render substrate treatment for salt-affected masonry in facade remediation context
- Confirm system sequence and compatibility with render primer and renovating render system
- Not a waterproofing membrane system
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of salt-retardant substrate treatment systems. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Product | Brand | Treatment type | Mechanism | Application | Compatible render | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sika Sikacryl-621 | Sika Australia | Crystalline / silicate penetrating | Crystal formation — blocks capillary pores | Brush or spray to prepared substrate | Confirm with Sika AU | Substrate pre-treatment before salt-resistant renovating render on salt-affected facades |
| Remmers Sulfatex | Remmers | Silane-modified penetrating | Hydrophobic lining — reduces liquid water transport | Brush or spray to prepared substrate | Remmers WTA renovating render system | Part of Remmers WTA system — substrate treatment before Remmers renovating render |
| Aquron 2000 | Aquron Services AU | Reactive silicate crystalline | Permanent crystal formation in capillary pores | Spray or brush | Confirm with Aquron Services | Substrate sealing treatment before render on salt-contaminated concrete and masonry |
Do not confuse salt-retardant substrate treatments with:
- Silane/siloxane water repellents applied as finished surface treatment — applied over render/masonry as a topcoat to repel water, not as a pre-render substrate treatment
- Crystalline waterproofing applied under hydraulic pressure — different application context to substrate treatments used before re-rendering
- Salt-resistant renovating render — the render system applied over the substrate treatment — separate product listed on the renovating render page
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. Final product selection must be confirmed against the current manufacturer TDS, project specification, substrate condition, exposure classification, and AS requirements. Products marked TODO: owner confirm require verification before specifying. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional building or facade consultant advice.