ᐅ Basement exterior walls: One side is damp up to 10 cm high, other walls are fine.
Created on: 14 May 2019 19:41
D
DerRomanHello everyone,
we are currently renovating our basement. The previous owner panelled the walls with wood. There was a carpet covering the screed floor.
We have now removed the carpet and found stains. The damp stains followed the wall, so the first step was to remove the paneling.
What we found: The masonry is visibly damp up to about 10cm (4 inches) from the screed. Interestingly, this was not observed in other rooms of the basement.
The question is: What could be the cause? Which type of specialist should inspect and repair this? What should I pay attention to in order to get a fair price?
we are currently renovating our basement. The previous owner panelled the walls with wood. There was a carpet covering the screed floor.
We have now removed the carpet and found stains. The damp stains followed the wall, so the first step was to remove the paneling.
What we found: The masonry is visibly damp up to about 10cm (4 inches) from the screed. Interestingly, this was not observed in other rooms of the basement.
The question is: What could be the cause? Which type of specialist should inspect and repair this? What should I pay attention to in order to get a fair price?
Hello @DerRoman,
What type of house is it (year built), what material are the basement walls made of, is the damp wall located below ground level, has it ever been excavated on the outside (if it is below ground), is it sealed in any way, and is there a drainage system around the house?
There can be many reasons for a damp wall.
Maybe you can provide us with some more details =).
What type of house is it (year built), what material are the basement walls made of, is the damp wall located below ground level, has it ever been excavated on the outside (if it is below ground), is it sealed in any way, and is there a drainage system around the house?
There can be many reasons for a damp wall.
Maybe you can provide us with some more details =).
Hello,
I’m providing an update on the current situation.
By now, an expert has inspected the house, along with several construction companies. The expert pointed out that the exterior waterproofing is defective. Most likely, the wastewater pipe that drains rainwater is also no longer sealed properly, causing the soil to become more saturated during rainfall.
The absence of a drainage system also allows rainwater to seep along the wall, worsening the condition.
The construction companies that visited offered the following services:
- Excavation (approximately 6 linear meters (20 feet) at a depth of about 1.80 meters (6 feet))
- Excavation of a trench up to the connection point so that the new rainwater drainage pipe can properly discharge water
- Replacement of the old concrete pipe that drains the rainwater
- Replacement of the old waterproofing including plaster (which will be completely removed and redone)
- Optional: Installation of a drainage system
Costs range between 5,000€ and 8,000€.
I’m providing an update on the current situation.
By now, an expert has inspected the house, along with several construction companies. The expert pointed out that the exterior waterproofing is defective. Most likely, the wastewater pipe that drains rainwater is also no longer sealed properly, causing the soil to become more saturated during rainfall.
The absence of a drainage system also allows rainwater to seep along the wall, worsening the condition.
The construction companies that visited offered the following services:
- Excavation (approximately 6 linear meters (20 feet) at a depth of about 1.80 meters (6 feet))
- Excavation of a trench up to the connection point so that the new rainwater drainage pipe can properly discharge water
- Replacement of the old concrete pipe that drains the rainwater
- Replacement of the old waterproofing including plaster (which will be completely removed and redone)
- Optional: Installation of a drainage system
Costs range between 5,000€ and 8,000€.
H
hampshire14 Jun 2019 17:05That sounds like "moderate dismay." Have the drainage installed at the same time.
Or do it yourself? Are you handy?
For digging the pit: mini excavator and shovel. The drain pipe is a trivial material.
Anyone can chip off plaster. Which plaster do you actually mean?
Drainage is just gravel, geotextile fabric, and pipe with a slope.
For waterproofing, I would have to look it up.
That would probably cost around 1,000€ (about 1,100 USD). You could also insulate the wall for a few extra euros while it’s open anyway.
For digging the pit: mini excavator and shovel. The drain pipe is a trivial material.
Anyone can chip off plaster. Which plaster do you actually mean?
Drainage is just gravel, geotextile fabric, and pipe with a slope.
For waterproofing, I would have to look it up.
That would probably cost around 1,000€ (about 1,100 USD). You could also insulate the wall for a few extra euros while it’s open anyway.
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