DAMP WALL! what remedy?
Post 1 of 15
I have recently realised we have a problem with damp walls and it affects both the paint and any wallcovering that was used on top the block wall. we use more of cement blocks here for our walls, I wonder how we can remedy this situation expecially during the rains.
Any suggestions?![[em28]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_confused.gif)
Any suggestions?
07 Aug 2007 06:28
Post 2 of 15
Replying to [eloho]:
So the water is infiltrating when it rains? It doesn't come through a leaky roof and then goes into the walls? If it goes directly _through_ the walls, you would have to cover the whole outside wall with a thin layer of a mortar, based on magnesium phosphate cement. But first inspect the wall and remove any parts/paint that are loose. Don't worry about patching these places; the magnesium mortar is best for that.
As you live in the tropics, I guess you have a lot of rain. Did you take the proper caution to shed the water away from your house? It can also be wicked up from the ground, close to the foundation, though this doesn't seem to be your case.
So the water is infiltrating when it rains? It doesn't come through a leaky roof and then goes into the walls? If it goes directly _through_ the walls, you would have to cover the whole outside wall with a thin layer of a mortar, based on magnesium phosphate cement. But first inspect the wall and remove any parts/paint that are loose. Don't worry about patching these places; the magnesium mortar is best for that.
As you live in the tropics, I guess you have a lot of rain. Did you take the proper caution to shed the water away from your house? It can also be wicked up from the ground, close to the foundation, though this doesn't seem to be your case.
07 Aug 2007 09:13
Post 3 of 15
Replying to [adimec]:well i think that might just be the case. I am suspecting its from the foundation. All the same your views have been very helpful![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif)
07 Aug 2007 13:36
Post 4 of 15
Replying to [eloho]:
No capillary break between the foundation and floor/walls! That's a very bad situation, and I'm not sure what to do in this case. I could imagine that you could still apply this magnesium cement to the foundation, but don't take my word for it
I could envision a short trench along a short run of the foundation, all the way down to the underground. Apply magnesium cement mortar to the foundation, refill and compact half way, put a big "U" shaped collector in the trench (it has to be glued to the wall), refill with co gravel and do the next part of the foundation, connecting the collector.
And of course you also have to find a way to let the water collected in this backfilled trench freely flow somewhere. If it stays there, it might even make the situation worse. - Just an idea!
No capillary break between the foundation and floor/walls! That's a very bad situation, and I'm not sure what to do in this case. I could imagine that you could still apply this magnesium cement to the foundation, but don't take my word for it
I could envision a short trench along a short run of the foundation, all the way down to the underground. Apply magnesium cement mortar to the foundation, refill and compact half way, put a big "U" shaped collector in the trench (it has to be glued to the wall), refill with co gravel and do the next part of the foundation, connecting the collector.
And of course you also have to find a way to let the water collected in this backfilled trench freely flow somewhere. If it stays there, it might even make the situation worse. - Just an idea!
07 Aug 2007 14:41
Post 5 of 15
Replying to [adimec]:Thank you very much for your advice so far i believe we will try out some of your suggestions![[em19]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_great.gif)
08 Aug 2007 19:38
Post 6 of 15
Replying to [eloho]:
Forgot to add: the "U" shaped collector could be formed into the soil and then sprayed with the same magnesium cement. Just trowel and shape it onto the soil. This way there is no possibility of a gap, crack, etc.
Forgot to add: the "U" shaped collector could be formed into the soil and then sprayed with the same magnesium cement. Just trowel and shape it onto the soil. This way there is no possibility of a gap, crack, etc.
08 Aug 2007 20:14
Post 7 of 15
Replying to [sanmumould]:
It seems to be "in the genes". My grandfather had a construction company he created out of sheer nothing, one of my sons is an architect, and the other is studying civil engineering. And I'm of course somewhere in between.
By the way, I'm also Germex. I execute two different business activities, and depending on what I was doing on Alibaba before, I might be signed in with one or the other nickname.
It seems to be "in the genes". My grandfather had a construction company he created out of sheer nothing, one of my sons is an architect, and the other is studying civil engineering. And I'm of course somewhere in between.
By the way, I'm also Germex. I execute two different business activities, and depending on what I was doing on Alibaba before, I might be signed in with one or the other nickname.
11 Aug 2007 10:14
Post 8 of 15
Replying to [sanmumould]:
As I have mentioned before, I do have a lot of info, but most of it would have to be completed with what I have in my mind and not "on paper". That's of course a lot of work, and before I do that, I would like to know for sure what people would like to read.
Eloho is already somehow "helping me out" with his questions, and if you could also chime in here, that would be great. Maybe that would help make others react, too, and then we might really have a lively discussion going on.
As I have mentioned before, I do have a lot of info, but most of it would have to be completed with what I have in my mind and not "on paper". That's of course a lot of work, and before I do that, I would like to know for sure what people would like to read.
Eloho is already somehow "helping me out" with his questions, and if you could also chime in here, that would be great. Maybe that would help make others react, too, and then we might really have a lively discussion going on.
11 Aug 2007 19:55
Post 9 of 15
Replying to [germex]:I believe we can all form a great team here where people will come in with their building problems and find real anwers expecially with my great friend Adimec a.k.a. Germex leading the team, so you are welcome aboard to join Us.
12 Aug 2007 03:58
Post 10 of 15
Replying to [eloho]:
Many years ago you were an officer, while I was a sargent. Why don't we keep it this way? What I'm trying to say is, why don't you apply for the moderatorship of this forum, while I do the technical contribution until somebody shows mercy on me and helps me out?
Or look at it as baseball: you are the pitcher (giving the ideas), while I am the batter (giving the answers), hoping that somebody will catch the ball, i.e. picking up the subject and continuing the thread (spinning the yarn, if you wish). That might work.
Many years ago you were an officer, while I was a sargent. Why don't we keep it this way? What I'm trying to say is, why don't you apply for the moderatorship of this forum, while I do the technical contribution until somebody shows mercy on me and helps me out?
Or look at it as baseball: you are the pitcher (giving the ideas), while I am the batter (giving the answers), hoping that somebody will catch the ball, i.e. picking up the subject and continuing the thread (spinning the yarn, if you wish). That might work.
12 Aug 2007 11:12
Post 11 of 15
Replying to [adimec]:My dear friend Adimec I think you have something new and good comming there. I think this might turn out a great idea. I will really give it its due consideration.
15 Aug 2007 11:59