If your home has a moisture problem, you will notice it. The bigger the moisture problem, the bigger the effect, such as a humid indoor climate or a lot of damage to the finish (paint, plastering).
It is therefore important to tackle moisture problems in time. We explain how to recognise moisture problems in the home and how to tackle them.
What are the effects of moisture in walls?
If you have a lot of moisture in your home, condensation or mold is usually the first effect you can notice. You can see condensation on the windows, for example, or you can feel it on the walls. If you run your hands over the wall and you feel water droplets or a “cold” wall, then there is a moisture problem.
A humid indoor climate is not pleasant, because it makes you feel clammy and also because you get cold more quickly.
Do you also suffer from visible mold in your home?
Then these lead to negative long-term health effects because you breathe in the unhealthy moldy air.
If you have moisture problems in your home, the value of your home will also decrease.
Moisture affects various building elements, such as:
- Walls: the plaster is coming loose or the wallpaper is peeling off
- Floor: The joints of the floor become moldy or white and the floor is sometimes just wet (condensation)
- Faience: the joints become mouldy and the skirting boards become loose, for example
- Wooden structures: beams and boards become moldy and wood rot appears
When buying or selling a house, moisture problems can be a major stumbling block to making a correct offer on a property.
For the buyer there is uncertainty about the impact and the cost of resolving everything and for the seller the house no longer presents itself as move-in ready and healthy, which reduces the sales value. Renovation costs are immediately projected when damp is detected.
How can I detect potential moisture problems?
Very often there is a moisture problem without it being visible. This is the case, for example, when ground moisture rises and the lower stones and finishes absorb moisture. You may not see this problem immediately, but it is already present when you knock on the plaster.
You can often tell from a musty smell that there is a moisture problem and then it is best to investigate immediately.
In addition to a musty smell, you can detect a moisture problem if there are recognizable traces of moisture present.
Therefore, check the following constructions:
- Walls: Are the walls damp or moldy? Is the plaster coming loose?
- Cellar: is the floor wet? Are there traces of moisture? (circles, traces of lime) Cellar racks rotten/rusty at the bottom?
- Windows: Is there condensation on the windows? Is the silicone on the windows moldy?
The most visible moisture problems are the molds. However, you only see these in the long term or if you look very carefully. That is why it is good to look for discolorations on walls, ceilings, floors and furniture in time.
Start with the most humid areas, such as the basement, bathroom, kitchen or toilet. Search especially behind furniture or in corners.
Do you see a discoloration? This may indicate the beginning or previous presence of mold. The sooner you detect this problem, the better. In the early stages, you will see gray or black circles/bubbles appear.
In addition, you can also recognize moisture problems by the presence of white traces of salts. This white color is often a remnant of salts that are or have been in the wall.
Certain wall cladding and wall stones contain hygroscopic salts and these salts attract water.
After the water evaporates, the salt remains and forms a white deposit.
If this is present, there is definitely a moisture problem or at least a moisture problem and you should look into it.
What is moisture control?
Damp control is a very broad term and includes both damp prevention and damp treatment. You can tackle damp problems preventively yourself. This is possible with the help of:
- Dehumidifiers/moisture absorbers
- waterdichte vulmiddelen
- quick-drying cement
For a structural treatment of moisture problems, it is best to call in a specialist. This is the case, for example, with the installation of:
- mechanical ventilation
- Professional basement waterproofing
The more humid the space, the bigger the approach. For example, the basement is the most humid space in the house where a professional approach is required. If you are renovating your home or building a new one, then this is the right time to have your ventilation installed, for example, this is already mandatory in many cases.
Can I solve moisture problems myself?
Moisture problems are mainly caused by poorly executed renovations or constructions. That is why it is important to know which moisture problems you tackle yourself and which not. For example, if you repair a moisture problem incorrectly, you often only make the problem worse in the long term.
Especially with rising or penetrating damp, structural solutions are needed. To combat this damp, it is important to detect the correct cause and damp heights and for that a professional damp diagnosis is required.
There are also special techniques to tackle damage to facades, interior finishes or floors.
So you have received a professional diagnosis, but are experienced enough to tackle the damage yourself?
Then there is a chance that you can solve the moisture problem yourself. However, if in doubt, it is best to immediately call in an experienced expert in moisture control.
How to tackle moisture problems professionally?
To effectively tackle a moisture problem, it is necessary to understand what exactly is causing it. For example, is the mold formation caused by rising ground moisture or penetrating moisture through the wall?
Only an expert in moisture control can find out what the exact causes are and which solutions are effective and sustainable. Serious moisture problems are usually only solved when you call in professional moisture control because a total approach is then required.
A moisture expert analyses the porosity of the external walls, the historical structure, the damage and knows which moisture treatments are necessary, such as:
- injecting walls and floors
- impregnating walls and facades
- undercutting of walls
- basement waterproofing
- air treatment
- installation of a mechanical ventilation system
The choice of the right moisture treatment depends on various factors, such as the building structure and the building materials that make up a space. Porous rocks, for example, often act like a sponge and absorb water.
In addition, stones sometimes contain certain salts that also absorb water. The presence of certain construction qualities therefore leads to the moisture expert looking for the best long-term solution.
It is not always possible to simply remove stones or break out an entire floor. However, it is possible to prevent moisture from continuing to affect these walls or floors. And for that, you should count on the professional advice of an experienced moisture expert.
Especially if you have an older home, it is recommended that you have the work carried out by a professional damp control expert. Old homes often have damp cellars and rising damp due to the lack of water barriers.
These homes often do not have a cavity wall, which often results in penetrating damp when it rains very heavily.
This penetrating moisture then penetrates the facade and comes into direct contact with the inside of the wall.
Do you have a moisture problem? Contact us and we will gladly help you as quickly as possible in a professional manner. The expertise is free and will help you move forward to a qualitative and definitive solution for your moisture problem.
The Aquavent in your area is happy to help you with advice and assistance.
Simon Dejaeghere
Onze specialist Simon is een ervaren expert op het gebied van opstijgend vocht. Dankzij zijn diepgaande kennis en jarenlange praktijkervaring kan hij problemen snel herkennen, de juiste diagnose stellen en effectieve oplossingen adviseren. Simon begeleidt klanten van de eerste inspectie tot en met de uiteindelijke behandeling.
