Surface water repellent-mediated change in lime mortar colour and gloss

It has been studied the changes in the water repellence and colour of two commercial lime-based mortars when treated with four commercial water repellents, in the context of their possible use in the restoration work on the Tower of Gold (“Torre del Oro”) at Seville. The low pressure water absorption test revealed that the treated surfaces were regarded to be sufficiently water repellent with the exception of Tegosivin HL 100-treated Cumen mortar. This treatment was the one that induced in both mortars a significant change in colour: a shift to higher b* values (more yellow) and a decrease in lightness.