LEAKS from Jau lty Joints and Other Causes STOPPED PERMANENTLY In the bulletin of the American Ceramic Society, June 1934, Frank C. Jamin, C. E., says: “About 75% of the leaks in masonry occur through the joint. Mortar joints as found in many buildings merely serve to keep the bricks apart, whereas, their true function is to bind the bricks together and form a uniform dense face of masonry.” (The emphasis on the last words is our own). 18% to 20% of a brick wall surface consists of joints. It follows then that faulty workmanship, shrinkage and disintegration of mortar cause about 75% of all cases of leaky walls, and it is no wonder when as much as 20% of the surface is subject to mortar shrink- age and disintegration. Rain finds easy entrance, for even during a gentle shower there is a measuroble film of water constantly flowing over an exposed wall. But when driven by a strong wind, the flow of water into the cracks is almost as if the water flowed over a horizontal surface. In many cases of faulty joints, no mortar at all is found in places. Enough of these open voids permit the water to be carried long distances. This is particu- larly true where the brick work abuts stone or metal members. Moisture may enter, and stain walls several floors below the point of entrance. To locate and stop such leaks is the work of a specially trained organization. THE PURPOSE OF WESTERN’S GROUT It is the purpose of Western's Grout Material and Service to make walls a “uniformly dense face of masonry,” impervious to the entrance of moisture, but permitting of wall “breathing,"” mentioned later. American Telegraph and Telephone Co. Repeater Station. Note the greatly improved appearance. 1, The material must penetrate easily into the masonry surface and remain there on drying. 2. The material must not concentrate on the sur- face so as to form a hard crust, but at the same time it must harden the surface sufficiently to resist erosion. (It must densify the surface by Hips the holes and must subsequently become ard). 3. The material must prevent the penetration of moisture, and at the same time allow moisture to escape. This is possible because water as liquid will not penetrate where as vapor it will escape. Furthermore it is possible for a wall to absorb a proper amount of moisture without WHAT WE DEMANDED OF GROUT Any material and method of restoring disintegrated masonry, to be efficient, must conform to the specifications, laid down more than 75 years ago by a group of scientists, for the requirements of waterproofing materials: Western's Grout Embraces ALL the Requirements of a Satisfactory Job admitting seepage. This “breathing” of a wall is necessary to prevent disintegration or rotting of the material internally. This is probably the most important consideration of a waterproofing. 4, The material must not discolor or in any way alter the original appearance of the surface. 5, The material must expand and contract uni- formly with the surrounding surface so as not to cause flaking. 6. The material must be non-corrosive and harm- less in use. 7, The material should retain its preservative effect indefinitely. If the material of the defective wall is dense and highly resistant against moisture, then a treatment of the joints only will be necessary. If the bricks, stone or other material are soft, porous and show noticeable signs of flaking, check- ing, or other evidence of water penetration and disruption by freez- ing or other disintegration, then an over-all treatment is advisable. Of course, all walls unless they be made of glass or some such dense material, are certain to show some disintegration in the course of years. It is not always easy to de- termine the degree to which the disintegration has progressed. It it a part of the Western's Grout Service to examine and determine the nature of the work required to restore the masonry and to give adequate protection against further leakage and disintegration. Thorough examination is of first and vital importance. When the foregoing specifications for waterproof- ing materials were laid down, the scientists went beyond the available materials of their day. Some materials accomplished a part of the specifications but none accomplished ALL of them. It was only by making a Southern Bell Telephone Building, New Orleans, La. long study of the merits and de- merits of various materials that a compound of materials was dis- covered that fulfulled ALL the specifications. Western's Grout Material is guar- anteed to accomplish ALL the re- quirements of a satisfactory job. Western's Grout Material pene- trates without concentrating on the surface. It is impervious to seep- age but sufficently receptive to permit the required ingress of air and egress of vapors to insure proper wall breathing. It not only will not discolor a wall, but it perfectly identifies itself with the material of the wall in color and texture, and adds density and per- manence. Its co-efficent of expan- sion is made identical with the wall in which it is incorporated, when properly handled. It forms no skin or crust to crack, no oil to dry out is used, no shrinkage of mortar. Western’s Grout does not mar but actually improves the appearance of a building. WESTERN’S GROUT SERVICE PROVED THROUGH TEN YEARS The Western Waterproofing Company for twenty-five years has maintained an organization of specially trained men who have devoted their lives to the solving of all types of waterproofing problems. It was only after Western's Grout was thoroughly time-tested that it was offered to the public. The Western Waterproofing Company's Service is found not only in its material, but in its trained men. They are available for a thorough analysis of your water problems. They are capable of correcting the faults efficiently and permanently by the Western Grout Method. FOR PRESERVATION AS WELL AS RESTORATION Many architects insure themselves against water troubles that too often discredit a splendid job, by specifying Western Waterproofing Company's Grout treatment for the exterior walls, before the building is turned over to owners. Efficiency is best served by using that system which meets ALL the requirements of a perfect job. Kinds of Structures Western's Grout is applicable to brick, stone of all kinds, concrete, stucco, concrete block, Haydite block, etc., The Western Grout Material comes in eight standard colors and in white and black. No temporary calking, pointing or painting can approximate the lifelong satisfaction to the owner of a building waterproofed by Western's Grout. Once done, it is permanent. (See References Back Page) An Overall Job WESTERN’S GROUT MATERIAL and SERVICE