VENTILATED FAÇADE OF STONE: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE IN THE COLONIZATION OF GRANITE

The ventilated facade of stone is a constructive system of recent use has been a major advance in the construction world. However, with the use of granite slabs in this type of facades have appeared pathological lesions that undermine the confidence of users and prescribers. One of these lesions is the appearance of stains and soiling produced by living organisms called biotic agents, bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, algae, lichens ,.... In northern Spain there are environmental conditions that allow the biological colonization in granite. Furthermore, Spain is one of the places in the world with the highest concentration of companies dedicated to the world of extraction, transformation and export of granite. In this context it is necessary to provide solutions so that the prescription of granite is not seen prejudiced versus other materials. Provided that there are no studies on biological damage in ventilated facades of granite, a research project has been developed to analyze a series of buildings in Galicia that presented these injuries. Obtained results in this research allow defining relevant factors that intervene in the biological colonization and that are of the interest for all the community linked to the natural stone. With these factors' knowledge you will be able to prescribe necessary actions in order to inhibit and/or to reduce this type of lesions.