Moisture problems in the home, you'd rather not have them
Do you notice moisture in your home? Then you are not alone in this. As many as 25% of the Flemish people are struggling with a moisture problem at some point. Moisture problems manifest themselves in a variety of ways. We can identify several moisture problems that occur regularly:
- Rising or rising damp, with moisture climbing up through the walls;
- Penetrating damp, where moisture from outside makes its way inside;
- Condensation;
- New construction moisture;
- A damp basement;
- Or moisture due to leaks.
Why moisture in the home needs to be fought
Moisture problems in the home can have many (serious) consequences for both the health and livability of the home. Some possible consequences include the following:
- The air quality in a humid home is worse, which can lead to respiratory problems and symptoms related to asthma or allergies.
- Even for people without health issues, living in rooms with moisture problems is unpleasant for aesthetic reasons and general livability.
- In addition, a humid environment leads to higher energy costs because it is more difficult to heat the space.
- Finally, moisture problems can reduce the value of the home because they affect the overall structure.
Thus, it is enormously important that moisture problems be addressed as soon as possible. In addition, waiting longer complicates treatment and increases costs. Even in homes where moisture problems only manifest themselves in winter, it is important to take action quickly.
Moisture control products
There are several brands of moisture control products available on the market that are applicable for moisture problems. We list the main ones.
Do-it-yourself moisture control products
- Humidity meters. With a hygrometer, you can measure the humidity in your indoor spaces closely. An ideal humidity level is between 40 and 60%. When you notice that humidity levels are consistently higher than 60%, it's time to take action.
- Damp-proof paint. Damp-proof paint is designed to repel moisture through a hydrophobic compound. This forms a barrier between the paint layer and moisture after the paint dries, preventing moisture from penetrating the walls. Before you begin painting, it is essential to make sure that any underlying moisture problems have been completely resolved, and that the walls are clean and dry.
- Moisture Eaters. Moisture eaters are devices that remove moisture from the air. They come in different forms, such as electric moisture-eaters or moisture-eating pellets in trays. Moisture-eaters are suitable for use in closets, bedrooms and other areas where moisture problems may occur.
- Mold Remover. As the name implies, this product is designed to mold for example walls due to moisture problems. This often comes in the form of a liquid containing sodium hypochlorite, an ingredient that kills mold.
- Wall injections. If you're sure you're dealing with rising damp, you can inject your walls yourself with a damp-proofing product. Here, however, you'll need a lot of additional tools, including a drill, injection tubes and mortar.
There are so many private products that are of high quality. You can often find these products in Brico, Gamma or Hubo. But, the products by themselves will not make your moisture problem go away. There is a lot more involved.
Damp-proofing products are not the complete solution
We would like to emphasize that it is not just about buying good products. There are other things to consider:
- It is essential to purchase the right products. This is because each moisture problem is unique and therefore requires a specific solution with corresponding products. So the first and very important step includes identifying the specific moisture problem you are facing. This is often challenging.
- As important as the product itself is its application. Take wall injections: here the depth of drilling into the walls is very important for the right result. In addition, finishing with putty or stucco of great importance to seal back the wall.
Therefore, we always recommend turning to a professional in the field of moisture control. Not only will this expert figure out the exact cause of the moisture problem, this person will also apply the solution to it flawlessly. This guarantees the best long-term results, over the course of many decades.
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