Breathable painting cycles for facades

The first phase is a thorough diagnosis . Facades and walls are inspected for loose plaster, cracks, through-cracks, swelling, areas of white efflorescence, damp patches, flaking old paint, or overly tight film. Each anomaly indicates different causes: structural expansion, water infiltration, incompatible cycles, lack of breathability.

We then proceed with the removal of any loosely adhered material : old, flaking paint, poorly executed patches, and loose plaster. This phase is often the most challenging and least "spectacular," but it is the one that prevents future detachments. Where the plaster is compacted and sound, it is retained; where it presents problems, it is demolished down to the solid substrate.

Cracks are assessed and treated differently: superficial cracks can be addressed with elastic coatings and reinforced plasters, while structural cracks or joints between different parts of the building require systems that allow for movement (meshes, specific profiles, elastic sealants). Sealing everything tightly with a covering paint almost always leads to the defect's recurrence over time.

Another common problem is dampness : rising damp, seepage from roofs, balconies, or windowsills, and surface condensation near thermal bridges. Salt efflorescence, peeling plaster, and persistent stains indicate the need for more targeted interventions: scraping damaged areas, applying dehumidifying plaster where necessary, correcting slopes, and sealing balconies and windowsills.

After addressing the critical points, the work proceeds with leveling and smoothing . The goal is to restore the surface to a uniform condition, avoiding "steps" between old and new. Leveling compounds compatible with the substrate, perhaps reinforced with fiberglass mesh in strategic points, help prevent cracks and create a smooth base for subsequent layers.

Finally, applying a suitable primer (fixative, primer, or sealer, depending on the chosen system) stabilizes absorption and improves the adhesion of paints or coatings. On highly absorbent substrates, consolidating fixatives are used; on existing coatings, adhesion primers; on mineral systems, specific products compatible with lime and silicates.