Funcosil Impregnation Sealer
- Conservation Technology
- Mar 12, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Reliable protection for Stone ,Brick, Concrete, Pavers, Renders & Stucco
Ireland’s climate presents one of the greatest challenges to building durability. Persistent rainfall, wind driven moisture and splash water all accelerate the weathering of mineral building materials. Water plays a central role in the deterioration of brick, stone and concrete contributing to frost damage, salt crystallisation, biological growth and long-term structural decline.
This is where one of the hydrophobic impregnation systems from Remmers provide a proven, long-lasting solution.
What Is Hydrophobic Impregnation?
Hydrophobic impregnation is a protective treatment that significantly reduces capillary water absorption within mineral substrates. When untreated masonry is exposed to rainfall or splash water, moisture is drawn deep into the pore structure through capillary suction. Over time, this repeated wetting can trigger or accelerate damage processes particularly in Ireland’s damp climate.
A hydrophobic treatment is therefore a sensible, preventative measure where rain penetration has the potential to cause deterioration or where early signs of moisture damage are already visible.
Importantly, impregnation does not seal the surface. Instead, it makes the internal pore walls water-repellent while maintaining vapour permeability. This means:
✔ Water is prevented from penetrating
✔ The façade remains breathable
✔ Existing moisture can escape naturally
How Does It Work?
Regardless of the formulation, the effect of hydrophobic impregnation is based on reducing the adhesive forces between the pore wall and penetrating water molecules (Similar to how a leaf would repel raindrops). By diminishing this interaction, the capillary suction that normally draws water inward is transformed into capillary depression. In practical terms, water is no longer absorbed, it beads on the surface and runs off.
This deep internal protection makes impregnation fundamentally different from coatings or sealers that form a surface film.
By reducing moisture content within masonry, hydrophobic treatment can also improve the thermal performance of façade brickwork. Drier walls insulate better, meaning protection from damage and potential energy savings at the same time.
What is the surface wetting angle?
The contact or surface wetting angle describes the angle formed by a liquid on the surface of a solid. If the contact angle is > 90°, then the surface is classed as hydrophobic.
Hydrophilic material (affinity for water) |  |
Hydrophobic material (water repelling) |  |
What happens exactly when a surface is made hydrophobic?
A thin glass tube is immersed in a water basin. Due to the capillary forces acting, the water in the glass tube will rise to the top. If the glass tube is now made hydrophobic, the
effect is reversed; water is no longer “sucked in” but rather forced out.
Since this is the result of only a single-molecule, nanoscale layer of Funcosil impregnation on the pore walls, vapour transport is virtually unrestricted. There is no impairment to diffusibility.
What does moisture ingress do?
Moisture can enter a property through several vulnerable areas of the buildings façade commonly the chimney. Cracks in the chimney crown allow rainwater to penetrate from above, while open mortar joints and hairline fractures in the brickwork let wind driven rain soak into the masonry. Damaged or poorly sealed flashing at roof level creates another common entry point, enabling water to track down behind the brickwork. Once inside the masonry, moisture can travel downward and sideways through capillary action, eventually appearing as staining on ceilings, damp internal walls, peeling paint or mould growth. In addition to chimney defects, other façade issues such as failed pointing, cracked render, porous stone, defective window seals, blocked or leaking gutters, and inadequate drip details can all contribute to water ingress. When these external defects combine, they allow persistent moisture penetration that may not show internally until significant saturation has occurred.
Why Choose Funcosil Systems?
The range of organosilicon based hydrophobic agents is broad and not all products are suitable for every substrate. The correct impregnation agent must be selected according to the absorbency, density and mineral composition of the material.
Funcosil systems are engineered to match these varying requirements delivering:
✔ Long-lasting hydrophobic protection
✔ High vapour diffusion
✔ Deep penetration into mineral substrates
✔ Protection against frost and salt damage
✔ Proven performance in exposed climates
Historically, water-repellent (hydrophobic) treatments were supplied as thin liquids. On dense or low-absorbency materials like engineering brick or hard stone, these liquids could run off or soak in too quickly, meaning the surface didn’t absorb enough active ingredient for effective protection. Remmers improved this with Funcosil FC cream technology. Because it is a cream rather than a liquid (with a high level of active ingredients), it stays on the surface longer, allowing even dense bricks enough time to absorb the necessary protective components and achieve reliable water repellency.
Products | Range of use | Properties |
Funcosil FC (Facade Cream) | Hydrophobic impregnation in cream form Driving rain protection for subsequently insulated hollow spaces and interior insulation |
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Funcosil SNL | Clear, hydrophobic, solvent-based impregnation |
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Funcosil SL | Clear, hydrophobic impregnation for limestone |
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Funcosil BI | Clear, hydrophobising impregnation for concrete |
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Funcosil OFS | Aqueous, hydrophobising and oil-repelling protective impregnation and easy-care treatment |
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Funcosil AG | Oleophobic and hydrophobic protective impregnation |
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Funcosil IC | Aqueous, solvent-free impregnation cream on a silane base for reinforced concrete in bridges |
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Facade Cream 25 | Hydrophobic impregnation in cream form |
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The Bottom Line
Water is one of the most destructive forces acting on masonry. By significantly reducing capillary water absorption while maintaining breathability, Funcosil impregnation systems protect against long-term deterioration, improve façade performance and help safeguard valuable assets.
If you would like specification guidance or a tailored recommendation for your next project, simply reply to this email with your project details.
We’re happy to help you choose the right Funcosil solution.
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