Environmental aspect of maintenance of buildings with ETICS

Abstract

Treatment of existing External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) is based mainly on chemical methods while environmental impacts are not clear. Currently used finishes of ETICS contain biocides as a prevention measure against biocorrosion. Uncontrolled leaching of biocides is not longer acceptable. Research on new technologies without uncontrolled release of biocides is developing, however, new system solutions are not known yet. Principles of sustainability must be regarded when applying the concept of ETICS maintenance.