Inspection, Diagnosis, and Rehabilitation System of Painted Rendered Façades

Abstract

This paper presents a method to facilitate the assessment of the performance and analyze the degradation of building envelopes, focusing on painted finishes. The proposed solution consists of systematizing the inspections, diagnosis, and rehabilitation methods through the compilation and structuring of the data contained in current regulations and scientific publications which are later validated and adjusted by the statistical analysis of data gathered in an inspection’s campaign. The field campaign included a sample of 105 façades with painted renders in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. The scope of the sample was limited to painted rendered façades (cementitious or mixed-binder mortar), therefore excluding other substrates. As a result, terminology, techniques, and procedures are combined into a single innovative system that allows unequivocal decision-making regarding inspections and intervention on paint coatings, thereby minimizing reliance on the experience of the inspector. The system is composed of several tools including classification lists, correlation matrices, and individual files compiling information on pathologies, testing, and repair techniques. The method for application of these tools is also described in this paper.