ABSTRACT
The previous chapters aimed to introduce the context and the mechanisms of premature staining of buildings. It was not a thorough study but one designed to give an overview of the work done in this area. Another reason for only looking at the broad principles is that not much research exists on this topic. According to Hawes (1986, p. 12), ‘we have no data, apart from casual observation, related to the action of water on the more sheltered parts of buildings because all known work has been principally with rain penetration’. This is indeed true; few researchers have been concerned with the aesthetic effects of the wind and rain, but instead have concentrated on the more fundamental aspects of weather exclusion. Where staining has been studied it has been in relation to concrete structures-a throwback to the ‘brutalism’ of the 1960s and 1970s when large-scale concrete buildings weathered very badly. Until recently, the only comprehensive publication to look at the mechanisms and effects of staining has been by the Technical Committee of RILEM (the International Union of Testing and Research Laboratories for Materials and Structures-Verhoff, 1988). Although an important publication, its highly technical content, style, mode of presentation and marketing have not made its valuable advice and guidance accessible to designers.
