Stuart Noble wrote:

"Paul" wrote in message
ups.com...

(With apologies to anyone who had already seen this on
free.uk.diy.home)

My parents are convinced that they need to sign away several thousands
of pounds on a treatment known as Protectacoat for a house which has
solid brick walls with pebbledashed render - this is at least 50-60
years old and now there is some penetrating damp.

Protectacoat apparently seals the existing render with some sort of
rubberised layer and claims to provide a waterproof barrier against
further ingress of rain. This sounds highly suspect to me.

It is highly suspect. The last lot I ripped off was not only harbouring
damp, but various colonies of insects. Worse than useless because water gets
behind it and can't get out.
Would probably work if the render was sound but, if that were the case, you
wouldn't need the treatment.


Actually that is not true.

Ive go a couple of areas of (new) render where drving rain soaks the
render and if it then freezes, its started pushing the paint off and
rubbishing the render.

Someone whos opinion I trust reckons that a coat of muckite over the
paint will stop it.

I agree its not a cure all for everything, but it has its place.

Obviuously if damp gets in behind it, its worse than useless.