Moist walls

DO YOU SUFFER FROM DAMP WALLS? AQUACONSULT IS AT YOUR SERVICE

Damp walls are a common problem that can cause a lot of trouble. Not only is it bad for the walls and for your home, but it is also bad for your health. Moisture in the wall can have several causes. Therefore, it is important to have a specialist come by to make the correct diagnosis.

What can you do about moisture in the walls?

Proper diagnosis is essential to properly address wall dampness. Only if you address the cause of the damp walls will the moisture disappear completely.

With a moisture meter, we determine what the moisture level is at a certain height in the wall. In addition, we take into account many other parameters that can give us more information about the moisture problem so that we can offer the perfect solution.

How do you recognize damp walls?

There are a lot of different causes of moisture in the walls, all of which have somewhat different symptoms. However, there are symptoms that pretty much always recur.

• A musty smell in the room
• Possible mold on wall, both white and dark mold
• Discolored or crumbling plasterwork

In addition to these common symptoms, each problem has its own symptoms.

The problems and their solutions

The problems that cause moisture in walls are very diverse. So are their solutions. 

Rising damp

Are there moisture spots only on the first floor? Is the moisture close to the ground and does it stop at a certain height? Then we speak of rising damp.

Rising damp is the most common moisture problem. Ground moisture is absorbed by the walls because there is no water barrier at ground level. The worst moisture spots may be near the ground, but it can still spread further into the wall.

The solution: injecting walls

Injecting walls is the best solution against rising damp. By injecting walls, we address the moisture in the walls, prevent mold and prevent paint or wallpaper from flaking.

When injecting walls, first of all, we drill a hole in the wall, close to the ground. Then we inject the wall with a water-repellent substance that spreads into the pores of the wall. This way, groundwater no longer has a chance to settle in the walls and your moisture problem is solved.

Why should you have your walls injected? It has numerous benefits:

• It is a definitive and durable solution to rising damp.
• Damp rooms require more energy to heat. Therefore, if you have your walls injected, your energy costs will also decrease.
• It's a quick job and you have quick results.
• You have a 30-year warranty with Aquaconsult.
• If you are eligible for the Flemish Renovation Premium, you can use it to have the walls injected.

Resuscitating moisture

Permeable moisture is the leading cause of moisture problems in the exterior walls of your home. With penetrating moisture, a wall has been exposed to rain for a long time. The moisture is mainly on the outside of the house, but sometimes it can have progressed to the point where the moisture has penetrated the interior walls. At such a time, it is clear that the walls are no longer able to repel rainwater.

Penetrating moisture can be dangerous when it freezes. Because the moisture in the walls can freeze, creating cracks.

The solution

With penetrating moisture, the outside wall is the big culprit. So that's the wall you need to have waterproofed. This can be done in three different ways:

• Paint the outside wall with moisture-resistant paint.
• Put a water-resistant coating on the facade so that moisture does not penetrate the walls.
• Having a new - waterproof - siding installed.

Condensation

In condensation, warm air settles on the cold surfaces of windows and walls. Those walls are primarily the exterior walls. Those usually feel coldest when it is also cold outside.

Condensation is something that occurs mainly in rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom. In the kitchen, the moisture from cooking hits the cold walls, and in the bathroom, the hot water from the shower or bathtub causes the condensation. 

Like the other moisture problems, condensation moisture has troublesome consequences. For example, it causes high humidity in the home. High humidity makes it harder to heat the room, causing energy bills to skyrocket.

The solution: ventilation

Moisture in the walls due to condensation is easy to solve. The major cause of condensation moisture is lack of ventilation. So make sure you ventilate your home properly or purchase an air purifier. This is a simple way to deal with condensation.

Why is it important to do something about damp walls?

Not only can damp walls be dangerous to the strength of your home or cause excessive energy bills, they are also bad for your health.

Fluid problems often strike the respiratory system, airways and lungs. This is especially true for people who already have respiratory conditions. For example, people with asthma are very sensitive to this.

Moisture problems are also often the cause of mold. Black mold in particular is a big culprit here, as black mold is also called "toxic mold. These emit toxins that can lead to respiratory problems, allergic reactions, nausea, nerve and joint pain and so much more. As with general moisture problems, people with respiratory conditions are more susceptible to this than others. Children and the elderly are also more likely to suffer the effects of black mold.

Are you suffering from moisture in the walls yourself? Then contact Aquaconsult and our specialists will visit you for a free moisture expertise all over Flanders.