Faulty waterproofing

: The cause can be ascending (1) or on the side penetrating moisture (2 + 3). It may be also on cracks in concrete parts (4 + 5).

Possible causes of faulty masonry waterproofing

A building is constantly exposed to damp through earth moisture, accumulating seepage water, or groundwater. Building walls without waterproofing are constantly taking in moisture. You can compare it with a cube of sugar that sucks up water.

Dampness can always rise in masonry when the construction materials are in a porous network, such as bricks. Porous networks create a “pipe system” within such materials - the capillary effect - where water can rise up against the force of gravity.

In this way, a simple brick can take in up to 30% of its own weight in water. The material’s fine pores suck up the earth’s moisture in a similar way to a sponge or blotting paper.

If moisture is unhindered in rising from the bottom to the top of the masonry, this is usually because there is no horizontal barrier layer, or the existing waterproofing (protective layer to stop moisture/water from penetrating a building) is faulty.

Details

: Aufsteigende Feuchtigkeit

: Seitlich eindringende Feuchtigkeit

This kind of waterproofing (protective layer to stop moisture from penetrating a building) can be faulty either because it was installed incorrectly, or because it has decomposed over the years. This necessary horizontal barrier is a protective mechanism against dampness in the house. If it is not functional, the dampness rises in the masonry and the house becomes wet.

Another cause can be the lack of exterior waterproofing, or its faulty installation. In older buildings, this waterproofing can also be faulty after a time. Then the dampness penetrates the masonry from the side and enters the building.

What problems arise from faulty waterproofing?

If we compare the various types of house waterproofing to a raincoat, we can see that we will get wet immediately if we wear a faulty raincoat. But with a house it is often a gradual process that we only notice when the dampness has worked its way into the interior. Mostly, you will only notice dampness in the masonry when the typical damage arises: crumbling plaster, salt blistering, mould attack, or musty smells.

Too much dampness damages your house. It reduces the heat insulation properties and can destroy the building materials. This is accompanied by a loss of value in the real estate, which must not be underestimated. When a building is valued, a decisive role is played not only by its location and the economic structure of the area, but also the quality of construction and the building’s condition.

If such damage from dampness is not restored immediately, the consequences threaten to arise again and again, and even spread further. It is comparable to toothache. If we don’t go to the dentist straight away and get the cause of the pain dealt with, the decay or infection spreads further and, as well as an increase in pain, can even lead to losing the tooth.

Why does concrete crack?

Cracks that you find in a concrete wall may have appeared as early as the hardening of the concrete, or perhaps years later. This is basically not a concern. The kind of cracks in earth-contacting concrete building components that are faults and in need of restoration are only those larger than 0.2 mm. The causes for such damage can be divided into one-time and recurring factors. One-time damage includes shrinking processes that occur during hardening of the concrete.

Recurring factors include:

massive water stress over years
weather conditions such as frost and sunshine
traffic stress (e.g. very busy streets in the direct vicinity)

These can lead to shifting cracks in concrete building components.

By way of a precise analysis (analysis of the building’s condition) the ISOTEC expert will first determine the cause and type of crack, in order to professionally restore the damage. .

Special case: Faulty floor-wall connection

: Wall-soles-connector

Specifically, cracks in the foundation slab of the house, or in the join area of the floor-wall connection (construction joint between the foundation slab and upwards wall masonry) can cause you problems as the owner - not only optically, but primarily also functionally.

The dangers of cracks forming in concrete building components

: Corroded steel beams

A danger through cracks in concrete building components is corrosion by moisture penetration.

The cracks form unplanned separation planes in the concrete texture. The concrete building components may no longer be able to fulfil their static and waterproofing requirements. This occurs as soon as a crack starts to conduct water. For these reasons it is necessary to close the gaps again professionally, e.g. to protect the interior steel reinforcement, necessary for static purposes, from corrosion.

In particular, the area of the floor-wall connection must be absolutely sealed. If this is not the case, there is a danger that moisture will permanently penetrate the inside of the building.

It is a process that can be gradual, because the water first collects under the floor screed and is often only noticed after some time. As well as the functional impairment, there is now also a health danger: the dampness under the floor screed and insulation layer helps speed the growth of mould and microbes.