WALLS WITH RISING DAMP
Mild phenomena
In walls affected by rising damp, it is necessary to evaluate the condition of the plaster. In the case of mild phenomena, with modest moisture rises slightly above the skirting board (flaking paint or plaster and/or slightly deteriorated plaster), it is sufficient to intervene with the SANADRY system.
In cases of advanced degradation and loss of cohesion of the plaster, it must be removed and restored with a cycle of dehumidifying plasters like our UNTERSANA + (MAUERSAN or CALEOSANA or SANATIGH). Wait for the plaster to dry before applying the complete SANADRY microcappotto.
For all application details related to the installation of dehumidifying plasters, consult the manual “Opus Dry Systems – Products and Systems for Restoring Damp Walls” and the website www.opus-dry.it “All about the causes of moisture in walls and the solutions to address them.”
WALLS WITH CONDENSATION HUMIDITY
Condensation humidity can be considered, simply put, as an essentially thermal phenomenon, connected with the physical law that establishes that the amount of water contained in the air in vapor form decreases with decreasing temperature.
In practice, surface condensation occurs when relatively warm air cools rapidly upon contact with a colder surface (the glass of a window, a north-facing wall, a concrete beam or pillar flush with plaster, etc.). So-called “thermal bridges” are areas where structures or materials with much higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding materials are present, thus creating “cold spots” where water vapor present in the warmer ambient air can easily condense, soaking the walls and triggering the proliferation of mold.
To counteract the moisture generated on thermal bridges, the essential characteristics that the insulation system must possess are twofold:
- Low thermal conductivity value.
- Good water vapor breathability.
SANADRY System has both characteristics, making it an ideal solution with virtually no impact on volumes and geometries, as it occupies the thickness of a skirting board!
Even in the context of energy requalification, correcting thermal bridges plays a primary role. If neglected or improperly addressed, these phenomena can cause, as we have seen, conditions of living discomfort, the formation of condensation and mold, as well as an increase in energy losses and heating and cooling costs of indoor spaces. The analysis of thermal bridges is an essential step for an accurate evaluation of a building’s energy performance, and below we illustrate some recurring situations.
THERMAL BRIDGES
A thermal bridge is an area within a building structure where material discontinuities or shape variations occur, producing a direct impact on heat transmission.
These phenomena cause an increase in thermal flows and a variation in internal surface temperatures, resulting in increased heat loss through these specific areas.
In the context of energy requalification, correcting thermal bridges plays a primary role. If neglected or improperly addressed, these phenomena can cause living discomfort conditions, manifested by condensation formation and mold, as well as increased energy and economic losses for heating or cooling indoor spaces.
Therefore, the analysis of thermal bridges is an essential step for an accurate evaluation of a building’s energy performance.
Thermal bridges occur near specific areas such as:
- pillars: points where pillars interrupt the continuity of materials are often places where thermal bridges form. The connection between the pillar and the rest of the structure can be a significant source of thermal dispersion;
- beams: beams, particularly those in reinforced concrete, represent another area of potential thermal bridge formation. Interruptions in thermal continuity between beams and other structural components can cause heat loss;
- balconies: balconies in concrete or other projecting parts of the building are often subject to thermal bridges, especially if not properly insulated;
- window sills and mortar joints: window sills and mortar joints between bricks are critical points where material discontinuities occur. These can constitute significant thermal bridges.