ᐅ New garage is damp

Last year, we had a garage built by a company. The garage is fully set into the ground at the back (on a slope). The rear wall and the back part of the walls are made of concrete, and the floor is paved. This summer, the rear floor and the wall up to about 1 meter (3 feet) from the floor were damp. Part of the moisture was caused by condensation during the summer. After temperatures dropped, the moisture decreased. How should the construction company fix this defect? I would appreciate any suggestions.

It is quite possible that no waterproofing was applied to the rear area where the wall is in contact with the soil. Normally, a thick coating should be applied to the wall, along with a protective barrier. It is also possible that the concrete used is not waterproof, so it absorbs moisture. It is difficult to say for sure from a distance.

I think only an expert assessor can help here. The construction company was careless and forgot several things. As Paules already mentioned, the waterproofing is simply missing.

When I read that companies repeatedly make careless mistakes, it really discourages you from building your own house. At the moment, I am still renting, but I have long wanted to own my own home.
I do search online for reliable companies, but sometimes it’s not easy.

Hi Angelia,

Yes, that’s true, and construction defects are becoming increasingly common. It is important to always have a building inspector available. Monitoring the construction companies is also essential.

Best regards

Well, Nicole, it might also depend on how much the workers are paid. I know someone who works in construction in Germany. For such physically demanding work, they sometimes earn very low wages, even though the company’s hourly rates are actually quite high 🙁

In Switzerland, it’s a bit better, which is why so many people come here to work. I can definitely understand that.