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Waterproofing Essentials:Moisture Signs And Symptoms

 

 

Today we will go on with moisture diagnosis and will cite the most common moisture symptoms and signs.

 

By identifying / locating symptoms and signs of moisture you specify the problem which is the first step in a moisture audit.

 

Deliberately, we won't distinguish among different parts of the building envelope - e.g. walls, roofs, basements - since this won't serve any of the objectives of this entry.

 

 

 MOST COMMON MOISTURE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 

 

MOLD / MILDEW

 

Though the above terms carry a slightly different connotation, they can be used interchangeably. Both refer to fungal growth.

 

Mold existence betrays moisture existence, so search for a moisture source.

 

Most times moisture is due to condensation (please check out the relevant entries).

 

 

MUSTY ODORS

 

High internal relative humidity is the main prerequisite for musty odors which can exist without the physical presence of mold.

 

Musty odors are the heralds of mold.

 

 

 

SURFACE CONDENSATION / CONDENSATES

 

Very common, especially during the heating season. You can see fogged windows, sweating pipes and walls etc. A result of high indoor relative and absolute humidity, surface condensation is visible and takes place on the surface of non-porous materials whose temperature is below dew point.

 

 Please check "THE 4 PILLARS OF CONDENSATION PREVENTION".

 

 INTERSTITIAL CONDENSATION

 

Conversely this type of condensation is hidden / not visible and mostly takes place when internal warm air diffuses into porous walls. Much more difficult to diagnose, it usually needs invasive testing.

 

 

 

DAMP FEELING

 

A sense of dampness you feel in areas with elevated humidity levels.

 

 

 

WOOD ROT AND DECAY

 

This shows serious moisture intrusion and damage. Wood fungi make wood soft, spongy and weak. Moisture will increase possibilities for pest infestation.

 

 

DEFORMATIONS

 

Moisture can cause volumetric changes, warping, swelling, shrinkage, twisting etc.

 

 

 

SPALLING / CRUMBLING / CHIPPING

 

These phenomena may be due to cryptoflorescence which is concentration of salts behind the surface of building materials. It is a type of efflorescence which takes place when special conditions prevail.

 

Freeze-thaw cycles act synergistically to speed up deterioration process. Masonry can turn to be powdery or crusty.

 

 

 

EFFLORESCENCE

 

Could be primary (happens during the initial cure of mortars or concretes) or secondary. It's a salty deposit on the surface of porous building materials. Sometimes it's hard and crystalline, other times powdery. It can turn to fluffy under the action of certain fungi.

 

 

 

PEELING PAINT / DELAMINATIONS / FLAKING

 

Culprit could be diffusion process. Vapors condense near the external surface and cause paint peeling, stucco flaking etc.

 

Capillary absorption or rising damp is another common cause.

 

 

 

BLISTERING

 

Moisture is trapped behind waterproofing membranes and causes local detachments due to high pressures.

 

 

 

DRYWALL SOFTNESS

 

Chemical deterioration and dissolution of gypsum products.

 

 

 

MILKY STAINS

 

Hydrolysis and leaching of certain polymer dispersions used for cement mixes waterproofing and modification.

 

 

 

WET STAINS / DISCOLORATION

 

Can originate from water ingress or leaking and subsequent pervasion. Also from capillary absorption or condensation.

 

 

 

STANDING WATER

 

Standing water is usually found in basements due to bulk water ingress. This situation calls for immediate waterproofing.

 

Could also occur due to serious condensation or above ground moisture intrusion.

 

 

 

Moisture symptoms can be detected by:

 

 

 

- Visual inspection: Assessment or existing conditions.

 

- Non invasive testing: Will corroborate the conclusions from the visual inspection.

 

- Invasive testing: This will necessitate destructive methods e.g. removal of materials etc.

 

 

Chris Strogilis

 

Civ. Eng. - MBA - DipM

 

http://maconwaterproofing.blogspot.com/

About the Author

Civil engineer with postgraduate studies in MBA and Marketing

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