Building renovation system
Throughout their lifespan, all building elements face exposure to moisture, a potent factor causing various effects of corrosion over time. Initially appearing as aesthetic defects, these issues can evolve into serious damage, jeopardizing the structural stability of the building.
The service life of the building is partly determined by effective vertical and horizontal insulation, adaptation to water load conditions, and efficient rainwater drainage from both roof slopes and the surrounding area.
The progression of corrosion due to dampness is more pronounced in older, often centuries-old structures, but it can also affect relatively new buildings, even after a few years of operation, if proper building practices are neglected during design and construction, and operational requirements are not met.
Moisture interacting with building elements can create conditions for corrosion, material erosion, and infestation by fungi and wood-eating insects.
Lack of external insulation
Capillary rise in masonry
Biological corrosion
Frost attack on bricks
Rainwater – direct impact on building facades, including plinths.
Capillary rise – moisture drawn through capillary pores into higher parts of the wall from a damp building element.
Splashing water – indirect impact, especially on plinths, through reflection from splash apron or adjacent areas.
Runoff – direct impact of rainwater flowing from the adjacent area or accumulating around the building, affecting its underground parts.
Leaks and failures – dampness resulting from unexpected circumstances, such as failure of plumbing fixtures.
- frost damage
- changes in thermal conductivity
- cracks caused by swelling or shrinkage
- changes in materials
- wall leaks
- salt efflorescence
- bursting due to salt crystallization
- severe frost attack due to salt
- reactions leading to changes in the structure of building materials
- lime leaching
- rust stains
- chemical corrosion
- microbial growth
- algal blooms
- moss growth
- fungi
The destructive impact of salts is always linked to dampness in the masonry. Salts can infiltrate the structure of the partition in the form of aqueous solutions from the following water sources:
a) rainwater, runoff, used water, and groundwater;
b) water subject to capillary transport in the masonry structure;
c) water from leaking plumbing systems.
In certain instances, the walls or floors of the premises may be heavily salt-contaminated due to specific long-term operation of the building (e.g. fertilizer warehouses, barns, stables).
Renovation projects require qualitative and quantitative analyses of building salts to understand the extent and progression of corrosion. The most common salts found in damp buildings include chlorides, sulfates and sulfites, nitrates and nitrites, and carbonates.
Analyzing the basic types of salts in the structure of damp masonry helps to identify potential sources of dampness in a building. For example:
- Elevated levels of chloride and/or nitrate may indicate ground-related dampness.
- High sulfate concentrations signal moisture from acid rain (sulfur compounds).
- Presence of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium compounds may suggest current or past biological corrosion.
- Corrosion of concrete or reinforced concrete elements releases significant amounts of sodium, magnesium, and carbonate compounds.
- Rainwater-induced moisture typically results in insignificant salinity levels (except for acid rain).
- Dampness in farm outbuildings or caused by sewage system failures may involve ammonium, nitrogen, and sulfate compounds.
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