EcoConil

09/02/2025

09/02/2025

09/02/2025

22/10/2024

Discover the challenges of buying former rental properties. From unexpected renovation costs to outdated standards, find out what to consider before making a purchase.

30/01/2024

Diasen Diathonite countertop

https://ecoconil.com/2024/01/30/step-by-step-guide-how-to-make-a-diathonite-kitchen-countertop/

24/01/2024

Managing Damp in Old Buildings (90% of buildings in the province of Cadiz).

It's inevitable that you will find dampness somewhere in an old house. Old buildings have stood the test of time. Problem is that many modern house here have been built not following codes designed to mitigate damp issues.

The worst enemy of old houses is we humans - it's what we do to them, or fail to understand about them, that causes problems and makes you think you have to 'Damp Proof'. Almost 100% of damp issues in buildings are caused by condensation, and lack of adequate ventilation.

None of it is rocket science - but as you explore the internet, you will find that vast amounts of complete rubbish and scientific nonsense has been written, and continues to be written.

Let's look at some basic blocks then:

What is an 'old building'?
The Official Definition of an Old Building is: "A solid walled structure, built using breathable materials, which needs to breathe"

This definition very deliberately talks about breathability. It is the cornerstone of the whole concept of old buildings and architecture. It may sound a bit daft, but until the last War, most materials used in buildings are fairly simple - timber, stone, brick, lime based mortars and plasters, and stone or slate tiles. All of these materials had one thing in common - breathability. It is since the war that there has been an exponential explosion in building materials, there are now thousands of them, and most are artificial compounds - gypsum plaster, cement, plastic sheets and membranes, silicones, epoxy resins, polyurethane insulation sheets, fibreglass, plastic coatings and paints.. the common thread to all of these is that they are NOT breathable. Use them on an old building, and it will get wet.

What is 'damp'?
Essentially hollow plaster, stains on walls, flaky paint, rotting skirtings, salty fluff on walls, dark patches on walls, plaster falling off, damp smells, mould and mildew, and no.. damp doesn't Rise, and no, there is no such thing as Rising Damp!

These are SYMPTOMS - they are just evidence of something happening which in 99% of cases, YOU can easily do something about by not applying non breathable materials on your walls.

Diasen Diathonite

19/01/2024

Suelos fríos. Hable con su constructor local sobre la instalación de una regla de corcho.

Cold floors. Talk to your local builder about installing a cork screed.

Ecological cork-based screed for betterthermal and acoustic comfort

14/01/2024

This test was done in the winter of 2021. All Diasen parts withstood damp in the wall except the clay. Our recommendation is to only use clay with a Diasen Deumix base to block the salts and manage the damp.

The new 2021 product comparative test wall has been treated with several amazing products to see which combination perform better.

This very damp wall has been split into sections using argacem colorato and diasen lime paint on top of argatherm and ecoclay.

26/12/2023

22/12/2023

This principle is very similar to cork based flooring screeds using lime, clay, cork and fibre...

14/12/2023

100% level.. wall with hand crafted door frames for restored doors (with magnetic locks) coated with natural chalk paint.