Damp (structural)

Under a moisture damage is defined as a direct and indirect structural damage that occurs to a building or buildings by moisture. This can either be the result of external weather conditions, soil moisture or condensation. A damage caused by a burst pipe or a flood, for example, is called, however water damage.

Causes

In buildings, moisture may set in different places and for different reasons:

• External causes: weather on roof coverings and wall sealing, rising and penetrating damp in masonry - countermeasures exist in all these cases the expert structural waterproofing the corresponding parts of the building.
• Internal causes: Humidity in buildings reflected on colder locations in the building ( condensing humidity)

Lack of planning and construction defects

The planning deficiencies are wrong engineered design details of the building envelope, eg in the area of the basement and roof seals, joints and connections as well as thermal bridges ( roller shutters, wall -piercing concrete parts or iron, errors of the insulation). Just as often, but are also improper or sloppy execution or the use of inappropriate building materials, so building defects that cause.

Predamages of the building

Even minor damage to the building, such as missing roof tiles and broken gutters cause moisture to enter. In contact with the soil, it is usually cracks in the outer walls, which can be caused by subsidence.

Weather and soil moisture

The aerial parts of structures and buildings are constantly exposed to the elements. The influence of wind, rain and snow can cause moisture in the building envelope and can no longer escape.

However, contact with the soil components come with the soil moisture in contact. Here the penetration of leachate, groundwater or backwater is the most common cause of damage.

• Laterally in the soil water infiltration in basement walls ( layer of water) can often in buildings on the hillside a problem after heavy rains penetrate into the masonry.
• Groundwater to the Keller zoom ranges ( pressurized water ) is another source of damp walls.

Capillary effects in masonry and faulty horizontal barriers can lead to moisture penetration over several floors.

In some locations may cause moisture damage and the morning dew, when he frequently and strongly occurs. But even more at risk are thereby exposed metal surfaces or devices of mobile electronics.

Condensation of humidity

The air may vary to save a lot of moisture in the form of vapor depending on the temperature. If the air temperature will lead to less absorption of air. The excess water vapor then condenses and sits down as moisture on cool surfaces. Such cooling takes place locally, as for example on windows, exterior walls, edges and corners as well as thermal bridges.

The causes of the high air humidity during and shortly after the construction phase in the building materials used and later mainly in the use of the building.

In masonry construction, excess water is much needed in order to process materials such as concrete, mortar and plaster can. The timbers used today have during installation to ensure a high inherent moisture. This moisture needed time to escape from the building can. Since it is uneconomical to leave empty new buildings are long, they go directly into the experience.

When using constantly creates new Humidity eg by cooking, showering, brushing and breath of the residents.

Worsened by the fact that in modern buildings, the building envelope is sealed particularly well to its low air exchange can save energy.

Follow

Moisture in addition to small optical losses such as mildew or discoloration cause serious structural damage that threaten the stability. These are often slowly progressive processes that take place in secret. Mortar and concrete are exhausted, it may lead to spalling due to corrosion of the reinforcement or frost damage, rust steel constructions in wood structures are rotting and deformations due to swelling frequent damage.

Consequential damages such as mold, bacteria infestation and dry rot ( notifiable) lead to toll on health of residents through, for example, allergies or respiratory tract infections. This can lead to the building uninhabitable.

Rehabilitation

It is important to determine the exact cause and location of the damage. Especially for damage caused by moisture penetrating the cause may lie far from the actual damage image removed, eg when a defective flat roof or basement waterproofing. If the cause is not immediately and unequivocally determined, it is advisable to seek independent expert advice, since at a rehabilitation often entails substantial costs.

To remediate a leak, the damaged area is exposed from the outside, if necessary, rehabilitated and re- sealed. In the area of building joints and basements that can be impossible, for example by neighboring buildings. Then the damage from the building interior must be remedied. For this purpose the free economy has developed a large number of methods, which are discussed controversially.

Difficult and time-consuming it is when planning or construction defects have led to a damage is due to the construction of the building (eg thermal bridge ). Here is to instruct you in any case an appraiser.

Measures on climate

Preventive measures or palliative to existing moisture problems is regular airing. Short-term airing (when fully open window) must be given priority during the cold season, not further cool the already cold surfaces compared with continuous ventilation ( tilted window ). The exchange and cooling of the volume of air, without cooling the surfaces, the air in the room is heated, and absorbs moisture.

In the longer term an adapted room air with a relative humidity between 40 and 60% is desirable. Air conditioners clean up the problem, unless they are professionally installed work correctly, otherwise it may even be the cause. Special Dehumidifiers ( water ) are high-maintenance: Regular emptying is necessary.