Porous Surface Consolidator 40SK™ from Dry-Treat

Rome's Trevi Fountain damaged by freeze-thaw

This is a lesson in the suitability of materials. For 261 years the marble Trevi Fountain has survived relatively intact, but just one winter of colder than usual temperatures has changed that. When water freezes in the pores of a soft porous material it expands and breaks off tiny pieces close to the surface. As this micro-spalling continues, pits become visible in the material - of course the deterioration allows even more water in, which accelerates the damage. Once weakened, large chunks can spall off, and the material can also crack more easily. Near salt water, softer materials including marbles, limestones, some travertines and sandstones and softer clay / concrete pavers will similarly deteriorate from salt spalling. In urban areas, materials such as marble can also be affected by acidic rain - which dissolves the calcite.

Porous Surface Consolidator 40sk Sometimes, even after being warned, a client may still decide to risk it. If they do - it is recommended to dip seal the material with DRY-TREAT 40SK, which achieves 2 things: