Reviving Budapest's heritage: Kerakoll's solution to the fight against Sick Building Syndrome and wet walls

Budapest, a city known for its impressive architecture and historical landmarks, faces a quiet yet ubiquitous challenge: Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and the danger of wet walls, especially in the basements of aging buildings. SBS, which causes health problems for residents due to poor indoor air quality, is a growing concern. Together with the destruction caused by wet walls, this poses a double threat to the city's architectural heritage.

THE Understanding Sick Building Syndrome
SBS, characterized by respiratory disease and other health problems, affects about 20% of the world's population, according to the WHO. Its causes are manifold - inadequate ventilation, chemical and biological contamination, and non-breathable building materials. In Budapest, where history is etched into every wall, the effect is even more pronounced and affects not only health, but also the city's cultural heritage.

Dilemma of wet walls
Damp walls, which are a common sight in old buildings in Budapest, especially in basements, are not just an aesthetic problem. They lead to structural damage, promote mold growth, and contribute to SBS. The water seeping into the walls carries salts, which crystallize, damage the plaster and threaten the integrity of the building.

All masonry is potentially absorbent, and therefore suffers when it comes into contact with water.

The most dangerous moisture comes from the ground, as it is saturated with salts (chlorides, sulfates, and nitrates) that permeate the masonry and can cause capillary damp to rise several metres.

Moisture changes the physical and chemical behaviour of the wall, increasing its thermal conductivity and reducing its insulating capacity. Furthermore, the surface crystallisation of salts causes building materials to crumble and accelerates the deterioration of the wall.

Water-saturated masonry has reduced insulating capacity and promotes the growth of mould and bacteria, thereby compromising the healthiness of rooms and the well-being of the people living in them.

Kerakoll’s Italian expertise
Enter the world of Kerakoll, an Italian company where ancient techniques perfected by the Romans to preserve buildings are still respected. Kerakoll offers a revolutionary solution to these problems, combining tradition with innovation.

The distinction
Rinzaffo vs Zoccolatura: Kerakoll’s approach involves a product system centered around Biocalce Rinzaffo and Biocalce Zoccolatura. Rinzaffo, a preparatory layer, prepares the walls for the main act—the Zoccolatura. Zoccolatura is where the real magic happens, thanks to its unique properties.

The microporous magic of Zoccolatura
Zoccolatura, a natural hydraulic lime-based render, is designed with micropores. These pores prevent water from entering while allowing water vapour to escape, so salts crystallize harmlessly within the wall. This property is crucial for protecting buildings such as the iconic Buda Castle and the rustic cellars of the Castle District.

Biocalce Zoccolatura permanently eliminates the problem of damp walls.

Biocalce Zoccolatura ensures a natural balance between capillary damp penetration and the surface removal of moisture, taking advantage of the natural micro-porous and hygroscopic properties of pure NHL lime and natural pozzolan.

Since the plaster is not susceptible to reaction with salts, it ensures its chemical stability and the durability of the complete damp-proofing system.

Overcoming the shortcomings of cement
Commonly used cement-based mortars are notorious for contributing to SBS and damp-related problems because they react poorly with water. Zoccolatura, by contrast, highlights its lime-based composition and prestigious NHL 3.5 classification, symbolising outstanding quality and moisture management.

The Anstett test revelation
According to the Anstett test, Biocalce Zoccolatura shows just 0.8% expansion when exposed to water, in stark contrast to the 40% expansion of ordinary cement and the 30% expansion of ordinary lime. This property makes it exceptionally suitable for Budapest’s historic buildings, where interaction with water is unavoidable.

The chemical resistance of hydraulic binders to sulfate salts is tested using the “ANSTETT TEST” analytical method. This involves preparing binder samples (cured in water, dried, and ground) with a gypsum (sulfate) content of 33%. The powder mixture is moistened with 6% water and pressed into cylindrical tablets measuring Ø 80 mm. These are placed on a roof tile, where they come into contact with water. The sulfate reaction is checked at regular intervals using a caliper with an accuracy of ± 0.01 mm by measuring the diameter of the sample.

The Biocalce system – a symphony of solutions
The Biocalce system is a range of products, each playing a crucial role in wall renovation and preservation. From the Rinzaffo preparatory layer to the protective Zoccolatura layer, complemented by products such as Biocalce Tinteggio and Biocalce Fondo, the system offers a holistic approach to combating moisture and rising damp.

Prestigious WTA certification
Both Zoccolatura and Rinzaffo boast WTA certification, demonstrating their effectiveness and reliability in preserving the health of buildings, whether on façades along Andrássy Avenue or in the interior spaces of the Parliament Building.

Kerakoll Biocalce Zoccolatura salt-blocking restorative lime plaster (plinth)

Price
14.150 Ft
Unit price 566 Ft  per  kg

Kerakoll Biocalce Zoccolatura is particularly suitable for restoring masonry exposed to bulging, erosion, and detachment caused by environmental factors and the deteriorating effects of salt concentration due to capillary dampness.

  • Natural, porous, and highly breathable, allowing the wall to breathe freely
  • Highly resistant to salts, with high vapour permeability and low capillary water absorption, for application without initial supports.

Kerakoll Biocalce Rinzaffo breathable lime bonding coat plaster

Price
10.450 Ft
Unit price 418 Ft  per  kg

Kerakoll Biocalce Rinzaffo is particularly suitable for base plastering before the final smoothing coat. Highly breathable and salt-resistant, it is also ideal for use on masonry affected by rising damp.

  • Natural, porous, and highly breathable, allowing the wall to breathe freely
  • High adhesion on all types of masonry
  • Provides uniform wall smoothness and moisture absorption
Dry stone wall with the Biocalce restoration system, achieving perfect dehumidification
Sale
Kerakoll Biocalce Intonachino Fino: Tanúsított, öko‑kompatibilis, NHL 3.5 természetes tiszta mészből készült, az EN 459‑1 szabványnak megfelelő természetes simító anyag vakolatok magas lélegzőképességű és finom szemcsés kidolgozásához.
13
Kerakoll Biocalce Intonachino Fino breathable lime fine plaster (0–0.5 mm)
Price
4.275 Ft8.550 Ft
Unit price 342 Ft  per  kg
Sale
Kerakoll Biocalce Intonachino Tipo 00: Tanúsított, öko‑kompatibilis, NHL 3,5 természetes tiszta mészből készült, az EN 459‑1 szabványnak megfelelő természetes simítóanyag a vakolatok magas lélegzőképességű sima felületi kidolgozásához.
7
Kerakoll Biocalce Intonachino Tipo "00" breathable lime fine finishing plaster (0–0.2 mm)
Price
4.650 Ft9.300 Ft
Sale
A Benesserebio® biovakolat megóvja a házat a nedvesség okozta károsodástól. Az idők folyamán tartósan megőrzi a párologtató és szellőző képességét
A Benesserebio® a Kerakoll kizárólagos geo‑kötőanyagával javított, a mikronizált természetes trasz sók elleni védőfunkciójával kombinált természetes NHL meszet alkalmaz.
12
Kerakoll Benesserebio thermal cell moisture-proof insulating bio plaster
Price
8.325 Ft16.650 Ft
Unit price 925 Ft  per  kg
Kerakoll Biocalce Muratura: Tanúsított, öko‑kompatibilis, NHL 3.5 természetes tiszta mészből készült, az EN 459‑1 szabványnak megfelelő természetes habarcs falazatok rendkívül légáteresztő ágyazatához és törmelékes feltöltéséhez, ideális a GreenBuildingnél, valamint műemlékek restaurálásához.
2
Kerakoll Biocalce Muratura breathable lime masonry mortar (M5, 0–2.5 mm)
Price
5.500 Ft
Unit price 220 Ft  per  kg
Sale
Biocalce® Rinzaffo különösen alkalmas a végső simítást megelőző alapvakoláshoz. Kiemelten lélegző és sóálló, ideális felszálló nedvesedés által érintett falazatok készítéséhez is.
2
Kerakoll Biocalce Rinzaffo breathable lime bonding coat plaster
Price
5.225 Ft10.450 Ft
Unit price 418 Ft  per  kg
Kerakoll Biocalce Tinteggio, természetes mészhabarcs, különösen alkalmas új és felújított vakolatok magas esztétikai értékű dekorációjának elkészítéséhez.
Kerakoll Biocalce Tinteggio: Természetes falfesték; tanúsított, öko‑kompatibilis, az EN 459‑1 szabványnak megfelelően válogatott CL 90‑S mészhabarcs és színes föld alapú festék, kiemelten légáteresztő képességű vakolatok fedésére.
28
Kerakoll Biocalce Tinteggio breathable lime wall paint (indoor and outdoor)
Price
14.850 Ft71.850 Ft
Unit price 3.713 Ft  per  l

Versatility Inside and Out
Uniquely, this Kerakoll solution can be used both inside and outside buildings, offering a versatile approach to preserving Budapest’s architectural wonders, from the grandeur of the Opera House to the quirky charm of residential buildings.

Conclusion
As Budapest continues to embrace its historical roots while looking toward a sustainable future, solutions such as the Kerakoll Biocalce system play a crucial role. They bridge the preservation of the past and the protection of the present, ensuring that the city’s architectural gems continue to stand tall—not merely as reminders of history, but as healthy, vibrant spaces for people. In the heart of Hungary, Kerakoll’s innovation is more than a product; it is a guardian of heritage and well-being.

Drying Out Masonry Walls with Heat

Sale
A Benesserebio® biovakolat megóvja a házat a nedvesség okozta károsodástól. Az idők folyamán tartósan megőrzi a párologtató és szellőző képességét
A Benesserebio® a Kerakoll kizárólagos geo‑kötőanyagával javított, a mikronizált természetes trasz sók elleni védőfunkciójával kombinált természetes NHL meszet alkalmaz.
12
Kerakoll Benesserebio thermal cell moisture-proof insulating bio plaster
Price
8.325 Ft16.650 Ft
Unit price 925 Ft  per  kg
Sale
Kerakoll Biocalce Zoccolatura a különösen alkalmas a környezeti hatások és a kapilláris átnedvesedés okozta sókoncentráció leépítő hatása miatti kidudorodásnak, eróziónak és leválásnak kitett falazatok helyreállításához.
1
Kerakoll Biocalce Zoccolatura salt-blocking restorative lime plaster (plinth)
Price
7.075 Ft14.150 Ft
Unit price 566 Ft  per  kg
We have the right solution for every construction-related problem.
Alapfelületek előkészítése
Preparation of base surfaces
Dekorálás: festékek, bevonatok és lakkok
Paints
Nedvességkezelés
Moisture Treatment
Hőszigetelés
Thermal insulation
Szerkezeti javítás és megerősítés
Structural repair and reinforcement
Kerámia és terméskő burkolás
Ceramic and natural stone tiling
Parketta bevonatok
Parquet Coatings
Vízszigetelés
Waterproofing
Természetes rendszerek
Natural systems
Építés és felületkialakítás
Construction and surface design

Kerakoll Design

Kerakoll Design is an integrated project featuring innovative materials—resin, cement, handcrafted wood, microcoatings, paints and glazes—all coordinated within a single colour palette.

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