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It depends on the condition of your stonework or brickwork and prevailing wind direction but typically 5 to 10 years.
No, it is completely invisible when dried in. If in doubt, apply to a small discreet test area before proceeding to full application.
Firstly you should to try to identify how the water is drawing through, so firstly eliminate the following:
Having eliminated the above you can reasonably conclude that the wall is absorbing water and therefore the bricks, mortar or even stonework must be porous in places. An application of one of our specialist water repellents such as "Extreme Climate" will stop this process by forcing the water to "bead up" on the surface and run off without penetrating.
Penetrating damp is normally (but not always) a gradual process which occurs when external walls have been exposed to the weather for many years. This typically leads to a "breaking down" of the masonry caused by moisture absorption. This is exacerbated by the winter freeze/thaw cycle which causes cracks, which then provide further pathways for water ingress, which also freeze causing......well I'm sure you get the picture! It can happen in bricks or various stone types including sand stone and most commonly in the mortar joints.
Solvent-bome water repellents achieve deeper and more permanent substrate penetration and typically last 4 to 5 times longer than water based. Their only draw back is that they cannot be applied to a damp surface or if rain is expected within 3 hours of applition.
In winter when some brick and stonework never seems to dry out "Storm Seal" can be used as a short term "fix". "Storm Seal" has to be applied to a damp surface to work effectively and it will quickly form an effective moisture barrier which should resolve the problem for at least 12 to 18 months.
Yes, "Superseal" and "Extreme Climate" are fully compatible with "Storm Seal" so you can apply them any time conditions permit.
Yes, "Superseal" which is based on Polyoxo saluminium stearate chemistry would darken limestone so we always recommend our silicone (siloxane) water repellent as it does not affect the colour of limestone at all.
"Superseal" which is based on Polyoxo saluminium stearate chemistry was the industry standard for premium grade waterseal for over a decade until "Extreme Climate" me out "Extreme Climate" uses the latest fluorocarbon chemistry which works at a molecular level to form an invisible film which uses water to "bead up" very tightly on most porous substrates. Superseal requires 2 x coats whereas EC needs only one coat so you use half as much and obviously save the labour cost of applying a second coat
We are always cautious about saying we can definitely offer a solution but I suspect the problem is that a particular mould or fungal growth has embedded itself in the surface substrate and merely washing it will not eradicate the problem. This is simply because microscopic spores and tiny portions of algal! fungal growth remain on the surface after the washing process and simply re-grow. So: