Dispersion for Walls and Floors
WEBAC® 5611
- Classic Line
Surface Sealing, Observatorio La Palma
The Observatorio Astrofísico on La Palma, located on the crater rim of Roque de los Muchachos in the Caldera de Taburiente, is situated at an altitude of around 2,400 meters above sea level. The facility is one of the most important astronomical sites in Europe and houses both night and solar telescopes.
The observatory was founded in 1984 with the participation of 19 countries and has been continuously expanded ever since. Its high altitude above the trade wind clouds and the particularly pure air make the location ideal for scientific observations.
Despite its proximity to the equator, the observatory is exposed to extreme climatic conditions: during the day, temperatures are high and UV radiation is intense, while at night—especially in winter—it can be frosty with regular snowfall.
The control center for the MAGIC telescope was completed in 2003. However, due to the extreme climatic conditions, salt efflorescence and moisture damage soon appeared in the walls, joints, and roof area. The penetrating moisture not only endangered the building fabric, but also the sensitive scientific equipment inside the building.
In order to achieve long-term moisture protection for the building, a renovation concept for surface sealing with the bitumen-acrylate dispersion WEBAC 5611 was developed. The material is characterized by its weather resistance and flexibility and can also be used under extreme conditions.
First, the old facade paint was completely removed, and loose plaster areas and existing cracks in the masonry were repaired. WEBAC 5611 was applied in two steps with a roller and brush as a surface sealant. On particularly absorbent substrates, such as new plaster areas, a base coat of WEBAC 5611 without cement additive was applied beforehand.
Geotextile was also incorporated to reinforce the joints and base connections in the wall-floor area. As a final protective measure, the entire surface was coated with a silicone resin paint. This protects the waterproofing and at the same time preserves the water vapor permeability of the bitumen-acrylate dispersion, so that residual moisture can escape from the masonry without causing further damage.
The renovation work has permanently protected the observatory's control building against moisture penetration and adapted it to the extreme climatic conditions on La Palma.
Products Used
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WEBAC 5611 is a reactive bitumen-acrylate dispersion that adheres well to a wide variety of substrates and has crack-bridging properties. The hydrophobic effect of the bitumen component creates a waterproof seal with reliable protection against leaching by salts harmful to structures. This makes WEBAC 5611 suitable for surface waterproofing against hydrostatic pressure in building construction, civil engineering, and historic preservation.
