Suffering from leaking moisture?
Different from rising damp, which is located on the ground floor and in basements, leaking moisture can also occur on upper floors.
AquaConsult can help you, anywhere in Flanders. Are you suffering from persistent damp? Contact us here for a free moisture analysis.
Quickly find your answer:
Free diagnosis
If you are not sure whether you are suffering from persistent damp, our experts will be happy to help. Via a free moisture analysis, we can determine exactly what problem you are facing. After all, a good moisture diagnosis is essential to find an appropriate solution.Contact our specialists for more info.
What is sagging moisture?
Intrusion
Permeable damp refers to moisture that enters through the outside of a building and seeps through interior walls.
Precipitation
Precipitation, such as rain or snow, hits the outer walls of a house, so to speak.
Absorption of moisture
These exterior walls then suck in the moisture and absorb it. This gives precipitation a chance to soak into the walls.
What causes persistent damp?
Under normal circumstances, a wall should not absorb moisture. Nevertheless, there are some common causes of penetrating damp:
Typically, older homes or those with flat roofs are more likely to have this moisture problem, due to, for example, plant growth against the outer walls or weather conditions that weaken the outer walls over time. But, a construction fault or leaking gutter can just as easily cause water to seep in over time.
What are possible consequences of persistent damp?
Moisture problems as leaking moisture are usually accompanied by negative consequences.
Damage to your home
Penetrating damp can cause a lot of damage to your home. Wallpaper and plaster can come off the wall, with fungi can occur which also does your furniture no good. Thereby, it not only damages your interior walls, it also affects your exterior walls.
Health complaints
Moisture in the home and mould is further associated with low air quality and a bad odour in your home, which for health complaints can cause. Airborne mould spores and bacteria increase the risk of allergies, asthma and respiratory infections. Moreover, a humid environment attracts house dust mites, which can cause additional symptoms in people with respiratory problems or allergies.
Structural problems
In addition, penetrating moisture can seriously weaken a home's structure. In the long run, walls and foundations can crack or sag. Moreover, moisture can cause metal components such as nails and pipes to rust, further compromising the stability of the structure.
Higher energy consumption
Are your walls insulated? If so, the insulation material can also get damp, losing its insulation value. In addition, your house will also feel cold, so you will heat more and feel this in your wallet.
It is therefore more than advisable to combat persistent damp in time to limit further damage.
How do you recognise leaking damp?
Permeable damp can be easily recognised by the random places where the damp problems appear. Unlike rising damp, which occurs on the ground floor and in basements, penetrating damp can also occur on higher floors. You can usually recognise it by the following:
Exterior of the house
Interior of the house
Free diagnosis
Are you in doubt as to whether you are dealing with persistent damp? Our experts will visit you free of charge and without obligation. Using a moisture meter, we can determine moisture levels at specific heights. It is crucial to carry out a thorough moisture analysis considering several factors.
Fighting persistent damp for good
Facade impregnation (including hydrofuge) is the most effective method of combating penetrating damp by applying a transparent, waterproof layer to the façade, preventing rainwater from entering. This treatment offers benefits such as extra insulation, a durable solution, quick implementation and possible government support in the form of premiums.
The process starts with a thorough inspection of the façade to ensure adhesion, followed by any minor repairs. The impregnating agent is then applied to the façade using a sprayer.
AquaConsult offers this service throughout Flanders and Walloon Brabant, with a free diagnosis by one of their experts.
Fighting persistent damp
When you are dealing with persistent damp, it is a good idea to treat it as soon as possible. Click here to discover the solution for persistent damp.
We recommend contacting an expert damp-proofing professional to ensure accurate execution of the work. You can also contact us for this.
Have any questions or would you like to request a quote? Contact us using the button below or the form.
How do you prevent penetrating damp through a wall?
Make sure your facade is well-groomed and protected. Watch out for cracks or fissures on the outside of the house, as these are the places where penetrating moisture will enter. You need to ensure that no form of water can enter through the façade. Maintaining the external façade is very important, so check for cracks in the grouting or cracks in other places like windows. If you notice any damage, address it immediately so that penetrating moisture does not stand a chance.
Even a dirty façade or damaged downspouts and gutters or lack of ventilation can cause leaking moisture. It is therefore important to check everything carefully, ventilate and, where necessary, already take preventive care measures. For example, apply a water-repellent product to the exterior wall to protect it from penetrating rainwater.
Who should I contact in case of penetrating damp problems?
In case of penetrating damp problems, it is best to contact a specialised damp expert. It is important to correctly diagnose the problem. Only then can the targeted treatments be applied. Because the professional uses the right equipment and combined with his years of experience, the penetrating damp problem can be identified and solved.
What will the professional examine? The facade will be thoroughly examined to first determine the location of the penetrating damp. Contact us or register for a free diagnosis of your penetrating damp problem. Do this early so you can limit further damage indoors or to your health.
Can penetrating moisture disappear on its own?
Persistent moisture does not just disappear on its own. If there are drier periods, the moisture spots may be less obvious. That does not mean the problem is gone. If you don't address the cause of persistent damp, the problem will be visible again during periods of rain or damp weather. The damp problem can spread if not addressed, causing greater damage such as to plaster and insulation.
So don't wait for the persistent damp problem to disappear on its own, because it won't. Take advantage of our free diagnosis to identify the cause and solve the problem of persistent damp.
How do I solve a leaking moisture problem?
You solve persistent moisture first and foremost by determining its cause. You cannot completely solve a persistent damp problem yourself. However, you can take some preventive steps yourself, such as applying a water-repellent product to the façade or ventilating sufficiently. That does not mean that a persistent damp problem can no longer occur. Once you know the cause or you learn about it by calling in an expert, only then can targeted treatment be carried out.
Usually, this consists of repairing the damage or cracks where the water enters. Capitalise on this in good time, by contacting a professional to protect your home from further damage so that, in the long run, penetrating moisture does not reoccur in the same place.
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Moisture problems
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Frequently asked questions about leaks
For persistent damp, the most common solution is usually façade impregnation. For this, guide prices in Belgium are usually around €8 to €15 per m². Some sources give a wider range of €5 to €15 per m² or €15 to €40 per m², depending on accessibility, preparation and treatment used for penetrating damp. If more is needed than just impregnating the facade, the cost can be around €20 to €40 per m². Then it involves damp-proofing paint as a treatment. Every situation is different. Therefore, use a professional diagnosis in order to have the correct cost calculated.
To solve the problem permanently, rely on a professional to use façade impregnation to protect the façade. Penetrating moisture enters through damage to the façade. Check yourself where you notice abnormalities and take temporary measures, such as adequate ventilation, to prevent the moisture problem from spreading further. Contact an expert to solve the penetrating damp problem permanently with the right treatment.
You can recognise persistent damp on both the outside and inside of the house. Damp penetration can occur on several floors, including bedrooms. On the outside, you will see cracks, porous bricks, damaged joints or damp patches on the façade in case of damp penetration. On the inside, you mainly see moisture spots that can lead to paint coming loose, damp ceilings, mould spots and an additional musty smell.
It depends on the fire insurance you have and the cause of the leaking damp. For more information, it is best to contact your insurer. Premiums can be claimed for some persistent damp problems, such as for façade renovation or energy-saving works.
