FLOOR MOISTURE: HOW TO REMOVE IT?

Floor moisture is a rather common issue in certain homes or properties. However, detecting it can prove challenging in many instances due to the flooring materials in use.

In ground-level spaces or residences where the floor directly touches the soil, the emergence of water remnants between floor tiles is a frequent occurrence. These remnants often lead to whitish spots upon drying. Another prevalent concern involves cement floors that come into contact with the underlying soil. In such cases, moisture ascending from the base of the concrete screed can result in bulges and chipping on the floor, even when the floor has been coated with waterproof paints.

As soon as moisture becomes visible and initial symptoms arise, prompt action is essential to prevent any compromise to the building's structural integrity. Addressing floor moisture requires identifying the source of this moisture. Addressing surface damage alone without tackling the root cause will lead to a recurrence of floor moisture.

To effectivelyeliminate floor moisture, it's essential to identify the underlying causes. While these causes can be diverse, they typically fall into the following categories:

• Rising damp: This occurs when the capillarity of soil materials and flooring permits moisture to ascend from the ground beneath. Additionally, water streams at ground level or underground can lead to rising damp when they encounter the building's foundations.
• Filtration moisture: This type of moisture results from water leaks in underground pipes or drains. In radiant floors, filtration moisture often emerges due to leaks in the coil of subterranean hot water pipes. Another problematic area for filtration moisture in the ground are pits in underground drains, which can eventually develop leaks in lower corners.
• Cracked Downpipes and Rainwater Pipes: Over time, downpipes and rainwater pipes can develop cracks, particularly if they are embedded within walls or floors. These cracks can lead to leaks in both walls and floors.
• Slope-Related Moisture: In houses constructed on slopes, moisture originating from underground streams can manifest on the floor or side walls. This moisture can cause rapid deterioration of the floor. Each type of floor moisture necessitates a targeted approach for effective resolution. Identifying the specific cause is crucial to implementing the appropriate solution.
• Cracks in outside walls and poor sealing: Cracksin exterior walls and inadequate sealing around door an window frames can facilitate water infiltration during rainfall, resulting in dampness on walls and floors.
• Condensation moisture: if there is a lot of environmental moisture inside the house, it is deposited in the cold parts of the walls and floors. It most often appears on the outside walls north side and around outside doors and windows. Condensation moisture may also appear in basements with little ventilation and high humidity on the walls.

The main symptoms of floor moisture are:

• Small puddles of water on the ground.
• Wooden floors turning black and developing bulges due to moisture absorption.
• Chippings appearing on cement floors, similar to what's observed in industrial buildings and garages.
• Moisture from the subsoil leading to water spots between floor tiles. These spots often leave behind a whitish residue caused by salts dissolved in the ascending water.
• Moisture in the floor can lead to damage in electrical cabling and cause disruptions in appliances.
• Strong moisture and rotten smell.
• Appearance of mold.
• Cold sensation.

The impacts of floor moisture are noticeable in both the household's financial situation and the well-being of individuals exposed to such conditions. The primary outcomes of floor moisture encompass:

• Deterioration of Tiles: Ongoing exposure to moisture can gradually harm tiles, leading to distortions in the floor's structure and potential detachment of tiles.
• Unsuitable Solution: Opting to lift the floor and incorporate waterproof sheets as a preventive measure against rising moisture isn't a viable approach. Aside from the significant cost involved in this endeavor, the sheer weight of the building can puncture these sheets, resulting in an unresolved issue.
• The presence of subsoil moisture gives rise to water spots between tiles, resulting in residual whitish marks upon drying due to the salts carried by the ascending water.
• Appliance Deterioration: Moisture adversely affects appliances, elevating the need for frequent maintenance.
• Wooden Floor Deformation: Wooden floors experience deformation, blackening, and even the deterioration of wooden planks due to moisture exposure.
• Property Value Impact: A residence afflicted by moisture undergoes a decrease in value, making the task of renting or selling it significantly challenging.

Moisture is indeed a significant issue for numerous homes, making combating it a top priority. Fortunately, the quest to eliminate floor moisture is a common objective. Luckily, solutions are available, contingent on the type of moisture:

• Rising damp is definitively addressed by installing the HS-221 system. This device efficiently repels water molecules into the subsoil, showcasing its proven effectiveness and rapidity in drying walls and floors, both in ground floors and basements. With this system, you can rejuvenate the area within a matter of months.
• Filtration moisture requires the expertise of a plumber equipped with a thermal camera to locate the troublesome areas, some of which may be concealed within walls or underground, not discernible to the naked eye.
• The existence of condensation moisture often results in mold forming at the wall and floor juncture. The approach to mitigating condensation moisture involves extracting interior water vapor and directing it outside.

Non-recommended alternatives to treat floor moisture

Regrettably, certain practitioners persist in employing ineffective methods to tackle floor moisture. These approaches do not provide lasting solutions for eliminating floor moisture. Instead, they merely offer temporary concealment of the issue. We emphasize the subsequent non-recommended practices for handling floor moisture:

• Placing waterproof material under the ground: This practice is costly as it necessitates lifting and reinstalling the entire floor. Furthermore, the weight of the floor itself eventually punctures the waterproof layer, allowing the problem to resurface. Any water that initially appeared between floor tiles now ascends the walls, as those walls are supported in a non-waterproofed section.
• Sanitary framework installation: This method is implemented during building construction, involving the creation of a structure on the ground to prevent the floor from resting directly on the underground soil. However, similar to the prior case, moisture still rises through walls that directly abut the foundation.
• Application of waterproofing layer above the floor: Attempts to counter moisture by applying waterproofing paints or plates on the floor are futile, as the moisture will lead to soil distortion, bulges, and chippings.
• Employing industrial fans or heaters: Using these tools to dry the floor is an inadequate solution, offering only momentary relief. Rising damp from the subsoil will eventually reappear.

The exceptional differentiating factor of our system HS-221, lies in its revolutionary approach to drying walls and floors within residences and structures. It also acts as a safeguard against the degradation of wooden floors and the accumulation of moisture between floor tiles. The HS-221 electro-physical system expels water into the subsoil and counteracts capillarity's effects.

It is crucial to emphasize that our system directly engages with water molecules, accurately identifying their location and intervening to redirect them to the subsoil. An expert's visit is not required to pinpoint moisture issues; the HS-221 system autonomously detects the presence of rising damp, even when it remains concealed within thick walls. This device effectively eliminates it once and for all.

At Humitat-Stop we specialize in eradicating floor-based rising damp, consistently delivering optimal solutions. Furthermore, we stand behind our services with a written satisfaction guarantee. Reach out to us to request a complimentary diagnosis, allowing us to assist you in resolving your moisture-related concerns. We commit to responding within 24 hours.