Moisture problems occur more often than you think when you are going to buy a house. During a first visit it is often difficult to pay attention to everything. Moisture is often a problem that is not always visible and hidden behind furniture, in corners.
Even if the moisture problem remains undiscussed, it is still not a hidden defect as long as you cannot prove that it was deliberately concealed by the seller (e.g. repainting, installing false walls).
It is best to ask your real estate agent if there are any moisture problems and to pay close attention to the details before you buy a house. This will prevent you from being surprised later. Buying a house is a very important decision in your life.
Not only financially, but also in terms of health and comfort. There are a number of simple things you can look out for during your site visit, which will help you notice moisture or discover whether it can be present in a house.
Moisture in walls
When you visit a house, you look at the walls. Or at least, at the parts of the walls that are visible. The emptier the house is, the faster you can see what condition the walls are in. If a house smells pleasant, then there is usually no problem. It is important that you do not let yourself be seduced by the smells of a freshly cleaned house. That is nice, but this smell often masks the real smell.
It is good to know how the interior spaces smell under normal circumstances. Is there a musty smell? Then it is necessary to pay extra attention to any deviations in the walls and ceiling. If the house is furnished, then it may be necessary to move a few pieces of furniture.
This will give you a view of the complete condition of each interior wall. Deviations, such as unevenness or spots, may indicate a moisture problem. For example, think of wallpaper that is hanging loose or plaster that is crumbling. Even if the interior walls appear to be in good condition at first glance, the paint may be flaking off slightly. If you discuss these issues with the seller, you will often find out what the causes are.
However, it does not always have to be a moisture problem. For example, a home with low humidity often leads to small cracks in the wall. Or it could be that the previous owner has already addressed the cause of the moisture problem, but has not yet fully repaired the damaged walls, such as in the case of seepage from roofs/gutters etc.
However, do you notice mold on the walls? Then there is undoubtedly a moisture problem. If you notice small, widespread mold spots on the wall, there is a chance that the house is sensitive to moisture. This is the case, for example, if the walls are poorly insulated. Therefore, run your fingers along the inside of the windows and check that you do not feel any water droplets.
Do you notice moisture? Then also rub the bottom of the walls that are on the ground floor. If a wall feels damp, this indicates an incipient moisture problem. Do not hesitate to discuss this with your real estate agent or seller.
Rising damp
Rising damp is caused by the suction effect of the walls. This causes groundwater or rainwater to be drawn into the walls and leads to degradation of the building structure. For example, the insulation and plasterwork are affected, which in the long term causes mould and loose finish.
Rising damp is usually the biggest moisture problem in a home and occurs in the basement or on the ground floor. This problem occurs most often in older homes that do not have a water barrier or where the walls are directly connected to the brick foundation. Over the years, cracks may have developed in the walls. So always ask the year the home was built and whether or not anything has been done about rising damp in the past.
Even in newer homes, errors are often found in the placement of a water barrier, which may lead to rising damp. Do you suspect that there is damp? Then it is recommended to appoint a damp expert who will perform a thorough and accurate damp diagnosis.
Is there a basement? Then make sure that this space is dry. If there is a water pump or the basement floor is under water, this means that there is rising damp. Also be aware that rising damp is not always the case when the moisture problem occurs at the level of the wall base. In that case, you need a damp treatment expert who will investigate what is causing the problem.
Damp spots on walls
During the home visit, it is best to check all the walls on each floor. There is also a chance that you will find damp patches or mould on the upper floors. This is certainly the case with penetrating damp. This damp problem occurs when the outside of the home is not waterproof. As a result, rainwater penetrates to the inside of the home. There is then no point in only repairing the inner wall.
Do you think there is penetrating moisture? Then definitely check the damage on the outside of the wall. This will allow you to have a correct estimate made of the costs required to tackle the outside of the house.
Damp spots that are the result of penetrating damp occur gradually. That is why it is good to also pay attention to the details. If it is a round spot, then there is usually penetrating damp. These spots are then salt rings. Do you notice small white or light brown damp streaks on the wall? Then there may be penetrating or rising damp at an early stage. Your damp expert will then investigate which type of damp problem it is exactly.
Is the damp spot in the upper corner of a room? Then definitely ask the real estate agent or seller about the condition of the roof. It is possible that rainwater seeps in through the underlayment during driving rain.
Treating rising damp
Rising damp does not go away by itself, not even during the summer. Moisture is always present in the ground. That is why it is important to protect your walls against rising groundwater. And for this you can choose from various damp treatments. At an early stage it is still possible to coat the outer walls with a moisture-resistant gel.
However, it is usually necessary to tackle rising damp structurally. This often means that it is recommended to place chemical barriers that stop rising damp. Injecting the walls is the most commonly used technique to treat rising damp. If this technique is carried out correctly, the damp problem is completely solved. Another method is to undercut the walls.
In that case, horizontal slots are cut in the brickwork. And finally, there are also techniques to ‘saw’ the wall or to place ventilation ducts. To be really sure that you choose the right approach, it is important that you find out exactly how the problem arose and how extensive the moisture damage is with a thorough moisture diagnosis.
Do you have moisture problems? 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.
