How to fight moisture in the walls

It is often only noticed when mold forms on the surface – moisture in the walls.

Damp walls or a damp basement not only cause lasting damage to the building fabric but can also pose serious health risks. The wetness of masonry poses a long-term risk, especially for small children and people with pre-existing conditions such as asthma.

But how can a damp wall be dried? What can you do about moisture in the basement? How is condensation prevented in the apartment?

We have compiled important tips for you that will help you identify moisture in the home and specifically prevent consequential damage.

Moisture in the walls – where does it come from?

The old structure of the house can cause damp walls or defects during construction. However, moisture damage caused by living in the home is common.

Old Buildings: Damp brickwork is not uncommon in old buildings where a damp basement can be a constant problem. However, damp walls also occur without a basement. Here the water enters the property via various structural weaknesses.

New buildings: Not only old houses but also new buildings can be affected by moisture and marked by moisture damage because of construction errors or inferior building materials.

Housing-related wetness: Very often there is a lack of suitable ventilation in houses. The moisture from, for example, vapors in the kitchen or in the bathroom can not escape.

The symptoms are diverse and range from damp walls and stains, wavy wallpaper, and cracks to basement wetness. Mold or efflorescence of saltpeter and other salts can be the result.

Why is moisture in the walls a potential health hazard?

Moisture in the walls of your apartment or house not only damages the building structure in the long term but can also contribute to a poor living environment. Unfortunately, the high levels of humidity and mold spores are not always immediately noticeable.

It is not uncommon for tenants or homeowners to suffer from non-specific problems such as severe headaches, allergies, nausea, burning eyes, insomnia, lung and heart diseases, or infectious diseases over a long period.

Regardless of whether there is already visible mold growth or whether we suspect mold due to damp walls and room air. As an owner, you should not take health risks lightly.

The first step is to use modern air purifiers. These can filter the finest particles from the room using multi-stage filtration.

However, it is not only necessary to remove the mold spores from the air but also to permanently eliminate the causes. But what can you as a homeowner do if moisture in walls causes problems such as mold?

What to do with damp walls?

Before you ask yourself the following questions: “How can I take targeted action against damp walls? ’ or ‘What can you do to prevent moisture in the basement? ” You should first clarify the causes of the permanent wetness in the walls.

Unfortunately, it is often not so easy for the layperson to understand where the moisture comes from.

Our expert tip: Let a specialist accompany you professionally. Only with the analysis of the causes is it possible to take targeted action against moisture damage.

Arrange an appointment with an expert at your site in order to carry out a detailed examination of the masonry. He will then offer you individual solutions to dry the damp wall.

What to do with damp walls? A wide variety of wall drying methods can be used here, including:

• Electric dehumidifiers
• Electro physical method (via electrodes: lowering of moisture through electrical DC voltage)
• Injection method (dehumidification with the help of boreholes)
• Horizontal cutting method (moisture barrier by cutting and sealing)

What can you do to prevent moisture in the basement?

Besides the methods of draining walls you have just learned about, homeowners can also become active themselves.

We can avoid a damp basement with targeted heating. Condensation forms much more quickly on the cold walls of a basement room. With regular heating, the basement walls dry, and the humidity is reduced.

What can you do to prevent moisture in the basement if there is no heating?

If this option is not available, homeowners can regularly ventilate the basement rooms. However, it depends on the right technique. It is crucial that the air outside is not more humid than inside the cellar. A hydrometer can help with this.

Our expert tip: Rely on shock ventilation. The humid air is quickly exchanged and the humidity in the cellar is reduced. If possible, avoid hanging out wet laundry in a damp basement. We cannot avoid this, a window should remain open all the time.

Also, as a homeowner, make sure that we eliminate cold spots. Have roller shutter boxes or niches of radiators checked for suitable insulation.

Targeted prevention of moisture in the home–how is that possible in everyday life?

Avoid mistakes in the daily use of your home to get a grip on damp walls.

Are you wondering what to do if the walls are damp? The following tips will help you dry a damp wall and prevent permanent moisture damage:

• Forced ventilation for 5-10 minutes with the windows wide open
• note that on hot days the humidity outside is very high during the day, it is better to ventilate in the morning and evening hours
• Ventilate after moisture-intensive activities such as showering or cooking
• Don’t forget the bedroom, where sweat and breath build up moisture, especially at night
• Do not hang wet laundry in closed or small rooms
• Room temperature of at least 15 degrees to counteract cold walls and the associated formation of mold
• Consistent heating, start heating earlier in the day and rely on constant heat
• Distance between the furniture and the wall to avoid water-logging behind it and to allow air to circulate
• preferably place large pieces of furniture on interior walls
• Use of granulates for air dehumidification
• Use of electric dehumidifiers
• Use of room air filters
• Clean grout infested with mold (such as in the bathroom) with chlorine cleaner

Become active against moisture in the apartment! Leaky walls or a damp basement should be treated effectively with the measures. Our tips will show you how this can be done in everyday life with little tricks.