Spring, the ideal season to treat damp in your home
With the return of fine weather, the desire to embark on home improvement work grows. Among the issues often put on hold during the winter, damp is at the top of the list. Stained walls, persistent odors, peeling paint… These are signs of a damp problem that needs to be addressed at the source. And spring is the ideal season to address it.
Identifying and understanding damp in walls
Damp can infiltrate a house in different ways. The most common causes include:
- Capillary rise: the water contained in the soil slowly rises through capillary action into the porous walls, often in the absence of a watertight barrier at the base of the construction. This phenomenon is particularly common in old buildings.
- Water infiltration: this occurs when rainwater seeps through cracks in walls or damaged joints.
- Condensation: due to excess humidity in the air combined with poor ventilation, condensation causes mould and deterioration of materials.
Among these different forms of humidity, capillary rise is often difficult to detect immediately. However, it can lead to structural deterioration of the building in the long term. Hence the importance of intervening quickly.
Why is spring the right time to treat damp?
Winter and its cold temperatures often make the work difficult: the walls remain damp for longer, and ventilation is reduced. On the contrary, summer can be too hot, causing materials to dry too quickly and unevenly. Spring offers an intermediate climate, perfectly suited for this kind of work:
- Optimal drying of walls: moderate temperatures allow for the gradual evaporation of moisture, without the risk of sudden drying, which could weaken the masonry.
- Better ventilation: opening windows facilitates the evacuation of residual moisture and limits condensation.
- An ideal preparation before summer: by treating the damp in the spring, you can be sure of starting the hot months with a healthy and stabilized interior, without the problem worsening due to a sudden evaporation of the trapped water.
How can rising damp be treated efficiently?
If rising damp is identified as the cause of the problem, the most effective solution is to inject a hydrophobic product into the walls. This treatment creates a watertight barrier that blocks rising water while allowing the materials to breathe.
Before starting treatment, it is recommended that you:
- Make an accurate diagnosis: identify the areas concerned, measure the humidity level and identify the origin of the problem.
- Call in a professional: they will be able to carry out reliable measurements, such as the TCM (Test Carbure Method) for solid materials (concrete, brick, wood), or analyze the presence of hygroscopic salts that worsen moisture retention.
- Ensure good ventilation: a well-ventilated house limits the risk of excessive humidity and facilitates the drying of walls.
- Choose a suitable product: depending on the type of construction, the age of the building and the extent of the problem.
CAPILASIL®: an effective and long-lasting solution
CAPILASIL® is an injection and impregnation solution based on silanes and siloxanes, designed to combat capillary rising damp in walls. Once injected, the product penetrates deeply and forms a watertight barrier while preserving the breathability of the materials.
It offers numerous advantages:
- Protects exterior walls from driving rain.
- Prevents damage from frost and the risk of cracking.
- Allows materials to breathe, thus limiting condensation moisture.
- Improves thermal insulation: a dry wall retains heat better, which helps reduce heating costs.
- Reduces the formation of moss and mold, while preventing salt efflorescence.
- Keeps facades clean and prevents the appearance of white salt stains.
Depending on the needs and the nature of your damp problems, the formulations in the CAPILASIL® range vary in order to offer maximum effectiveness for each project. Whether it is a question of cleaning a facade or a terrace or treating rising damp, there is a CAPILASIL® solution adapted to each situation.
Act now for a healthier interior
If there are signs of damp on your walls, spring is the ideal time to take action before the summer heat temporarily masks the problem. By acting early, you can ensure long-lasting protection, increased comfort and preservation of value for your space.
Taking the time to identify the source of the damp and choosing the right treatment will enable you to prevent structural damage, improve indoor air quality and avoid heavy and costly work in the future.
More information on the CAPILASIL® range
Contact us: sales@beal.be
