Free diagnosis
Not sure if you suffer from rising damp? Our experts will be happy to help. Through a free moisture analysis, we can determine exactly what the problem is. After all, a good moisture diagnosis is essential to find an appropriate solution.Contact our specialists for more info.
What is rising orrising damp?
One of the causes of moisture in the wall is rising damp. At the same time, it is also the most common moisture problem. Rising damp only occurs on the ground floor. With rising damp, groundwater is the big culprit. The gRound water is absorbed by the foundation and walls, so the worst dampness is near the ground, but it can always spread further into the wall. Both internal and external walls can be severely damaged as a result.
What causes rising damp?
Rising damp is most common in older houses, but it can also affect newly built houses. This is usually because a fault has happened in the building structure (and usually the foundation) . In both cases, we are usually talking about houses that have problems with the water barrier.
A dam is the waterproof protective layer that prevents groundwater from penetrating the walls. If this water barrier at ground level is missing or damaged, the walls will absorb groundwater like a sponge. The capillary action of the walls ensures that the moisture is transported upwards. This causes you to suffer from rising damp.
What are the consequences of rising damp?
Rising or rising damp is associated with numerous negative consequences. First and foremost, it is very unhealthy for your home and your walls. It reduces the strength of walls, causing structural damage:
How do I recognise rising damp?
Rising damp always expresses itself just above the surface level. As a result, rising damp only occurs on the ground floor or in the basement.
On internal walls, you can recognise rising damp first of all by height: do the moisture spots occur mainly close to the ground? Then it is most likely groundwater rising to the top of the walls.
On interior walls, you can recognise rising damp by the following symptoms:
In winter, the moisture in the walls freezes, causing the moisture to expand. So in the exterior walls, you may also sometimes notice broken joints. In many cases, the basement is also affected by rising damp. This is because a basement is surrounded by groundwater. But rising damp does not only occur in winter. You can also suffer from this moisture problem in summer.
We, as experts, can work with a moisture meter determine the moisture level is at a certain height in the wall. If the moisture is only close to the ground on the ground floor, we are clearly talking about rising damp.
What can I do about rising damp?
First and foremost, it is important to getting a specialist in moisture control to make the right diagnosis. Because every moisture problem requires a different approach, and only with a correct diagnosis can correct action be taken.
In the case of rising damp, the most appropriate approach is the injecting walls against moisture.
AquaConsult uses REWAGEL Inject 3A+ as a damp-proofing gel. This is the highest qualification you can find; we therefore use only the best quality to help you. REWAGEL Inject 3A+ is solvent-free, odourless and non-caustic. We can use it without health hazard in inhabited areas and it is non-flammable. This injection gel has been used for many years and has proven its effectiveness several times through tests. It is therefore a result of extensive research, consequently approved by the BUtgb (Belgian Union for Technical Approval in the Building Industry, approval institute that is a member of the European Union). REWAGEL Inject 3A+ carries the ATG label with certification ATG2844.
How does AquaConsult proceed?
Want to rid your home of rising damp, and engage the experts at AquaConsult to do so? Then you can count on the following approach:
Premium for combating rising damp
Via My Renovation Premium you can get a big financial boost for fighting rising damp! If your home is at least 15 years old and you hire a professional, you can get up to 35% of your investment (excluding VAT) back, with a maximum of €1,750. A great opportunity to keep your home dry and healthy.More information can be found at the website of the Flemish government.
How serious is rising damp in the home?
Rising damp is a serious problem for both the house itself and its occupants. Especially if the problem persists for a long time. When soil moisture is absorbed into the walls, you can speak of rising damp. Over time, this can cause plasterwork and even brickwork to be affected. Without treatment and prolonged delay, rising damp can become a major problem for the structure of the house. Thus, the repair costs run even higher than if the problem of rising damp is addressed immediately.
Besides affecting the house itself, rising damp also has a major impact on the indoor climate. The humidity level in the house increases due to the moisture present, thus causing moulds. In this way, rising damp also affects the health of residents, as moulds can cause respiratory problems or other allergic reactions. Address rising damp in time to protect both the house and its occupants.
Does rising damp decrease in summer?
Rising damp often seems less visible in summer. The moisture spots lighten up due to higher temperatures and lower humidity in the house. The musty smell also decreases in the summer months. Yet this does not mean that the problem of rising damp is gone or solved. Especially if the cause is soil moisture, rising damp will remain present in the walls as long as the problem is not addressed.
During the wetter and colder periods, the problem of rising damp remains glaringly obvious. Mainly because walls dry less quickly then and there is a continuous influx of soil moisture. It is important not to consider the problem seasonal. If you suffer from rising damp in your home, it is present in both summer and winter. Don't let the problem drag on and get a professional diagnosis done to determine the cause correctly.
What can you do yourself against rising damp?
You can take some first steps yourself in case of rising damp. Make sure you move any furniture or other coverings that are against the wall so that the wall can dry better. Proper ventilation of the house is also important to reduce humidity. Furthermore, you can try injecting the walls yourself with a damp-proof gel or injection fluid. This will prevent rising damp from migrating further into the wall. For proper implementation, it is best to have a professional come over.
How do you find out where rising damp is coming from?
Look at where you found the moisture stains. That way, the height of the stains and how they look can already tell a lot about the origin of rising damp. Rising damp usually occurs because a water barrier is missing or damaged. This allows soil moisture to migrate into the foundation of the walls. There may also be other causes. Therefore, it is important to have the exact cause professionally determined.
So what you see visually on the wall is not a direct indication of the exact cause of the moisture problem. There can be different moisture problems that are not the same as rising damp. Get the right determination so that the problem can be treated and solved correctly.
Do you suffer from damp walls?
Then contact AquaConsult and our specialists will come by for a free moisture assessment, everywhere in Flanders.
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Frequently asked questions about rising damp
The cost depends mainly on wall thickness, wall length, salt load, accessibility and finishing afterwards. As a rule of thumb, one wall can often be treated from ± €850. Because every rising damp problem is different, it is important to have a professional diagnosis carried out in order to get a correct price estimate.
You can usually recognise rising damp by moisture spots on the wall or its effects such as loose plaster or discolouration. In addition, rising damp is usually located on the ground floor. Do you smell a musty odour? Then there is a chance of the presence of rising damp. In doubt? Get a professional to make the correct diagnosis.
The first thing you should always do is find the cause of rising damp or have it determined by a professional. You can already take measures yourself, such as ventilating and clearing the wall so it can dry. Of course, they do not solve the problem. For that, a targeted treatment is needed.
Yes, especially prolonged exposure to rising damp. Humidity rises, which can cause mould to develop. As a result, residents may develop respiratory problems or allergies. By tackling the problem of rising damp in time, you will not only protect your home, but certainly also your loved ones or fellow residents.
