Wall drying: An effective solution against rising damp

Capillary rise, or rising damp, is a common problem in many buildings. It often affects buildings located in humid regions and/or old buildings. This ingress, caused by moisture migrating from the ground to the walls through capillary action, can lead to structural damage, health problems related to mold growth, and damage to the building’s aesthetic appearance.
What is rising damp?
Rising damp is the phenomenon by which water in the ground is sucked up by porous materials in foundations and walls. These materials, such as brick, stone, or mortar, contain microscopic pores that allow moisture to rise through capillary action, sometimes up to several meters in height.
The main causes of rising damp include:
- The absence of or damage to a watertight barrier between the ground and the walls.
- A groundwater table close to the surface or ground heavily saturated with water.
- Old or unsuitable building materials, often used in historic buildings.
What risks are associated with rising damp?
The damage can be extensive, affecting both the comfort of the occupants as well as the structural integrity of the affected building. Moisture that penetrates the walls transports mineral salts (nitrates, chlorides, and sulfates) from the ground. These salts crystallize on the surface, which will cause white efflorescence and the materials to crack. Therefore, damage to the affected surfaces will be considerably accelerated.
In the long term and without treatment, rising damp will weaken load-bearing walls and foundations, which represents a danger for the stability of the entire building. The resulting damp will reduce the insulating properties of the walls and encourage the appearance of mold, stains and bad odors that can harm the health of occupants (e.g., allergies, respiratory problems).
Wall drying as an effective barrier
One of the most effective solutions for drying walls is to inject hydrophobic resins directly into the wall. Usually made from silicone, these resins form a tight barrier that blocks moisture from rising through the treated surface. This work must be carried out by a professional, who must first perform an assessment. This step will allow them to adapt the treatment to suit the type of building, the materials, and the extent of the damage caused by the rising damp.
XILIX® Blockaqua fights rising damp
Groupe Berkem supplies Xilix® Blockaqua, a resin injection device for drying walls that creates a continuous, permanently watertight barrier. For use only by professionals, the products in the range are injected into walls and will polymerize on contact with moisture. This chemical reaction will create a perfectly watertight barrier directly within the affected walls.
The Xilix® Blockaqua range comes in five varieties for professionals, to suit any type of rising damp:
- XILIX® Blockaqua Cream is a ready-to-use cream based on a silane-based resin.
- XILIX® Blockaqua C is a concentrated emulsion developed from silane and siloxane resins.
- XILIX® Blockaqua PAE is a ready-to-use emulsion consisting of silane and siloxane resins.
Other products have been developed to tackle the effects of rising damp, including Xilix® Blockaqua Salt (to treat the appearance of saltpeter) and Xilix® Blockaqua Hydro (to prevent new ingress).
Explore the Xilix® Blockaqua range