Moisture control in Dilbeek

Damp problems in Dilbeek are largely determined by two factors: the undulating terrain of the Pajottenland, with its hills and stream valleys such as those of the Pede and De Wolfsputten, and the typical sandy loam soil. This combination means that damp problems occur frequently.

• Damp basement due to extremely high groundwater pressure: the sandy loam soil in Dilbeek drains rainfall very slowly and retains water for longer. In a municipality such as Dilbeek, rainwater also flows down from the hills to lower-lying areas and valleys. As a result, the water table rises very rapidly in some places after rain. This creates high hydrostatic pressure against the cellar walls and floor slabs, resulting in water seeping in, damp cellar floors and mould as a result.
• Rising damp in authentic village centres and Pajot farmhouses: the older areas of Dilbeek, Schepdaal, Sint-Martens-Bodegem and Itterbeek are home to many pre-war houses and characterful farmhouses. These properties are built on solid ground, without a waterproofing layer. As the sandy loam subsoil remains constantly damp, the traditional brickwork acts like a sponge. Groundwater rises several metres up the internal and external walls of your Dilbeek home, resulting in salt efflorescence and crumbling plasterwork.
• Penetrating moisture On the windswept Pajot hills: houses in Dilbeek situated on the open hills and plateaus, such as those around Schepdaal and Sint-Ulriks-Kapelle, bear the full brunt of the south-westerly wind. Whilst houses in a compact town centre are sheltered, in the outskirts of Dilbeek the driving rain hits the façades head-on. Where the pointing is worn or the bricks are porous, the façade becomes saturated and the damp seeps through the cavity into the internal walls.