Solutions for damp walls: how to prevent and remedy water infiltrations

Water from various sources can affect a building, paying attention not only to its aesthetic value but also to its internal microclimate. Infiltration from the walls (appearing with frames in the areas where the walls and the floor join) can occur for several reasons. Either the lack of a waterproofing system or its improper application is to blame.

Regardless of the cause, fixing the problem and finding the most effective solutions for wet walls is necessary.

Assessing the damage caused

Among the unpleasant consequences created by water infiltrations, the decrease in the aesthetic appearance of the walls is counted first. Stained walls degrade the interior design of the space and draw attention in a negative way to the affected areas.

However, in most situations, aesthetic damages are not the only ones caused by flooding in the walls. For example, in the case of walls and floors built of reinforced concrete, wet walls can result from an improperly made waterproofing system. This phenomenon is frequently encountered in terraces, areas prone to the effects of meteoric waters.

Thus, in addition to the exfoliation of the plaster, damage to the finishes at the floor joints, and other effects that are easy to see with the naked eye, infiltrations also cause damage in the deeper layers of the masonry. The water in the walls is a factor responsible for the corrosion of the reinforcements in the floors, pillars or beams – all of which threaten the resistance structure of the entire construction.

To be able to remedy the effects of infiltration, a first step is needed: the damage assessment.

It is advisable that, at this stage, you call on the specialized services of a designer or builder with the necessary knowledge and tools to identify the causes of infiltration.

You must know, however, that, whatever the verdict, drying the walls is not an operation that can be carried out naturally, so it will be necessary to apply various procedures to remove water from the walls.

Drying of the support layer

Applying any waterproofing solution is good to know that it will have maximum effects only if applied on a dry surface. Almost all waterproofing solutions can also be used on wet substrates (but without puddles), but as far as possible, it is good to apply them on dry substrates.

For drying, other than natural, you can use fans, or dehumidifiers or increase the natural ventilation capacity of the space affected by infiltrations by providing vents placed in such a way as to allow the creation of a continuous airflow.

Treatment of wet walls

To remedy the effects of masonry infiltrations, you can use various substances that close the pores of the constructive elements. They have a simple principle of action, more precisely by crystallizing water. Substances of this type penetrate the wall or floor and block water access through the masonry.

If we are dealing with an old building built of mortar, lime or other traditional materials, unique solutions remove moisture from the walls.

You can opt for products that are applied as a film on the affected surfaces or for those that are inserted into the wall by injection. They act gradually, releasing the active substance that will prevent infiltration from the masonry.

Suppose mould and mildew have already appeared on the surface of the walls. In that case, disinfection is recommended, after which an anti-mould paint can be applied to stop the reappearance of microorganisms.

Solutions to prevent moisture from walls

The moisture of the walls is among the most important factors that favour the appearance of mould and moisture. They endanger the health of the residents, besides the fact that they visibly damage the way the walls look.

Moreover, water infiltrations from the walls of a building hurt its degree of stability.

To prevent these negative consequences, the safest method is to choose a suitable waterproofing system from the construction execution phase. The foundation, the terraces, the roof, the walls and the basements are the elements that require high-performance waterproofing, which will provide long-term safety and comfort.

In situations where the flooding from the walls was produced by upward capillarity, the fault may be the missing or defective waterproofing. In this case, the solution consists of introducing a substance into the wall to break the capillarity of the material.

Whatever solution you choose, it is essential to check the moisture level of the support layer in advance. This step will determine the amount of substance needed to repair the damage.

Are you looking for waterproofing services in Melbourne? Numerous companies offer these services, and you can choose the best one by comparing prices, experience, and efficiency

What construction materials can you use to repair wet walls

The materials used to make the waterproofing are numerous and are chosen according to the surface on which they are applied.

Waterproofing mortars

Waterproofing mortars are single-component or two-component products, rigid or flexible, applied inside or outside to protect the walls and the floor. In general, they must be covered with coatings or epoxy paint to prevent them from being punctured by traffic.

For better resistance over time of the waterproofing system, we recommend flexible waterproofing, such as Mapelastic (for bathrooms, terraces or swimming pools – here are some recommendations) or Mapelastic Foundation (for foundations and basements – find out here how it can help you)

Bentonite membranes

Benitonic membranes are materials with waterproofing properties used especially for basements or cellars. They can be used both for new constructions and the waterproofing of existing structures, for the remediation of infiltrations.

Benitonic membranes are obtained from bentonite, a clay that turns into a gel upon contact with water. We recommend Mapei benitonic membranes, made of natural sodium benitonite, with extraordinary waterproofing qualities.

Remember that these membranes are mounted only on flat surfaces with no gaps or unevenness. It is also suitable for wet areas but without puddles.

Bituminous membranes or bitumen-based products

Bituminous membranes are used in waterproofing, especially for foundations, terraces and roofs. They protect the walls against meteoric waters and those from the water table. The bitumen is the one that has the waterproofing properties of these products. You must choose the right products if you opt for waterproofing systems made of bituminous membranes. There are APP and SBS, Reoxtene or self-adhesive membranes.

Learn more about each of these by accessing our article: Bituminous Membranes – how to choose them and what they are suitable for.

An alternative to bituminous membranes is bucket waterproofing based on bitumen, which is applied with a stencil or a trowel. One such solution is Sika Igolflex N. These products have the advantage that they are easy to apply, without flame, and have a double role, being able to be used both as waterproofing products and for glueing extruded polystyrene in the foundation area.

PVC waterproofing

PVC waterproofing is often used to insulate roofs. This light material is dimensionally stable but exceptionally resistant to the UV sun. In addition, it has an excellent adhesion.

This type of waterproofing is applied over polystyrene plates and has a lifespan of over 30 years.

Pool paints with waterproofing properties

The manufacturers of construction materials also offer a complementary option for waterproofing the support layers: paints with high water resistance.

They can be applied in swimming pools, having a design role, but unlike classic waterproofing, they require more frequent reapplying.

Injectable waterproofing

In the situation where the infiltrations occur through capillarity, the solution is the application of injection products. For their application, holes are made with a drill in the affected wall at certain distances specified depending on the product, and the injection solutions are introduced into these holes with the help of a gun. These have the role of blocking the upward penetration of water through the capillarity of the support layer.

Also Read: Roof Leakage Waterproofing Solutions

Conclusions

To stop infiltrations, you can take measures right from the construction phase. In the first stage, the basement, the cellar, the roof and the house joints will be waterproofed.

However, if you discover, in time, that water infiltrations have appeared, the best thing you can do is to take the appropriate measures to prevent them as soon as possible. You can opt for one of the solutions we proposed in this article, making the necessary repairs and improvements with suitable construction materials. Considering the complexity and costs of waterproofing work, we recommend contacting specialists who can recommend the most appropriate solution.