Which product goes over which, and which combinations are never applied
In construction chemicals the most expensive mistakes come not from choosing the wrong product but from the wrong sequence. Applied in the wrong order, the right products still fail — and because the failure usually surfaces months later, liability becomes contested. This page defines the layer relationships between the products and the combinations that must never be used.
Row = the layer underneath, column = the layer going on top.
| UPPER LAYER | D101 | D201 | W101 | N102 | R101/2 | Breathable | Plastic | Ceramic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D101 DampStop | – | – | ||||||
| D201 DampStop CS | – | – | ||||||
| W101 HydroFix | – | – | – | |||||
| N102 Crystal 2K | – | – | ||||||
| N111 / N112 Stop | – | – | – | |||||
| E101 Pur In | – | – | – | |||||
| G101 Gel | – | – | – | |||||
| R101 / R102 Repair |
Breathable: silicate / silicone emulsion paint. Plastic: acrylic-based paint. R101/2: the R101 and R102 repair mortars.
HydroFix relies on vapour transfer. Acrylic or plastic paint blocks it; moisture builds up behind the plaster, salt crystallises and the layer blisters within a few months.
HydroFix is a water-repellent surface; the water absorption a crystalline coating needs never happens and crystal formation does not start.
While rising damp is active, salt accumulates behind the plaster. D101 injection must come first.
Running water washes out mortar that has not yet set. Stop the flow first with N111 or N112.
There is no capillary network, so no barrier forms. These elements need the NK130 Damp Box.
The alkaline cement matrix is incompatible with gypsum; adhesion is lost and blistering follows.
| COATING | STATUS | NOTE |
|---|---|---|
| Silicate (mineral) paint | Suitable | Highest vapour permeability; the recommended option |
| Silicone emulsion paint | Suitable | Water-repellent and breathable; suitable on facades |
| Limewash, mineral decorative render | Suitable | For historic and traditional buildings |
| Mineral-based tile adhesive | Suitable | May be applied over N102 and R101 |
| Acrylic / plastic interior paint | Not suitable | Blocks vapour transfer and breaks the system |
| Epoxy, polyurethane coating, membrane | Not suitable | Forms a full barrier; causes blistering |
| Vinyl wallpaper | Not suitable | Moisture accumulates behind the layer |
The most common invisible cause of system failure is the wrong paint. If the customer does every step correctly and then applies plastic paint, vapour transfer stops and the layer blisters within months. This condition should be written into the quotation and the warranty terms.
| COMBINATION | CONDITION |
|---|---|
| R101 / R102 over W101 | For local repair only. Over a large area the repair mortar lowers vapour transfer; in that case HydroFix is renewed. |
| Ceramic over W101 | Only with a mineral-based adhesive. Vapour transfer drops under the tiled area, so ventilation of the wet room must be strengthened. |
| Plastic paint over N102 | It causes no structural problem, but the crystalline system needs continued water contact to keep self-healing; a closed coating prevents it. |
| Plastic paint over R101 / R102 | Repair mortar does not depend on vapour transfer; however, if it is part of a damp-proofing system, breathable paint is preferred. |
Before applying any combination not defined on this page, please ask our technical team.
Send us a photo of the wall with its dimensions and request a free analysis; we will work out the correct sequence together.
