Many people are under the impression that homes made of stone or brick are made to last. While they do last many years, stone and brick are weak to a very prevalent element of life: water. There are a lot of complicated things that happen with stone buildings. The average person knows that brick houses sometimes get cracks or complications, but most don’t know about capillary action. So, what is capillary action? Let’s take a look and see how it may be affecting your home.
What Is Capillary Action?
In simple terms, capillary action is when water leaches up into stone. However, it’s important to understand the details to fully get the implications of this phenomenon.
Buildings made with porous stone, like brick, or even solid stone that’s attained cracks, have little defense against water. Water finds its way into stone walls – even vertically – and makes a long journey through the cracks, or capillaries, available in them. These cracks can be miniscule – too small for you to see. However, water running through them makes them bigger. This becomes especially problematic if the groundwater in an area is salty. Even small amounts of salt in groundwater can create a lot of damage.
Over the course of a hundred years, even groundwater with a small amount of salt can take up to 4.2 kilograms of salt through a meter of wall. This salt contributes in breaking down the stone in the wall, leading to further cracks, crumbling, and the inevitable destruction of the walls.
In capillary action in homes, the same principle applies. The porous nature of many building materials allows water to travel upward, causing rising damp that can affect both interior and exterior walls. Understanding capillary action and its effects on walls is crucial for preventing long-term damage. This process can lead to moisture problems in houses, with visible signs such as mold, peeling paint, and damp patches.
Younger Homes
You may be asking, “How does this affect my home if it’s only 40 years old?” Well, the answer is, it may take a hundred years for 4.2kg of salt to make it through a stone wall, but it then stands to reason that half of that could make it through by the time your home is 50 years old. Capillary action is happening all the time in brick houses, even if the larger effects aren’t seen for a while.
Even in modern buildings, capillary action in home structures remains a concern. As capillary moisture affects home foundations, it can lead to slow but steady deterioration. The sooner you address this issue, the better your chances of avoiding costly repairs in the future. Why capillary action leads to damp walls is due to the constant pull of moisture through the structure’s materials, which over time compromises the strength of the foundation.
Home Value and Long-Term Health
Therefore, if you want your home to continue standing at its best, you’ll want to take action to prevent capillary action from damaging your foundation or basement walls. These are the walls that support your entire home structure. If they’re damaged to the point that they can no longer do their job, your home is no longer safe. It’s best to start the recovery and protection process sooner rather than later, right?
To maintain your home’s value and structural health, you need to know how to stop capillary water rise in walls. One of the most effective methods involves damp-proofing solutions to prevent capillary action effects. By creating a barrier between the ground moisture and your walls, you can ensure that your home’s foundation stays dry and stable, protecting the value and longevity of your property.
Saving Your Home from Capillary Action
No matter where you live, there will be groundwater and moisture in the soil that longs to make its way into your walls. If you have a stone or brick home, or if your basement walls are made of cement that is no longer keeping moisture out, it’s time to get help.
Additionally, we offer damp-proofing solutions that are designed to stop the damaging effects of capillary action before they escalate. If you’re facing rising damp or moisture problems, damp proofing is an effective way to protect your home’s structure from further damage. Let us help you safeguard your home against capillary action and moisture problems in houses with our expert solutions.
Leaquida Waterproofing specializes in exterior basement waterproofing. Our process is extensive, but can keep your home safe from a number of problems associated with capillary action and water leakage. Give us a call today if you want to know more about our services.
FAQ
Capillary action in home structures refers to the process by which water moves through the porous materials of a house, such as concrete, brick, or wood. Over time, this moisture can create issues like mold, rot, and structural damage, particularly in areas like basements or foundations.
Capillary action causes rising damp by allowing moisture from the ground to move upward through the walls and foundations of a home. This movement can lead to damp walls and damage to the structural integrity of the building over time.
Capillary moisture can weaken a home’s foundation by causing cracks and erosion as water continuously rises through the structure. This can lead to long-term stability problems and costly repairs if left unaddressed.
Capillary action leads to damp walls because water is drawn from the ground and moves upward through the pores in the wall materials. This moisture can cause visible damp patches, peeling paint, and the growth of mold and mildew.
To stop capillary water rise in walls, damp-proofing solutions such as installing a damp-proof course or using water-repellent coatings can be applied. These methods create a barrier that prevents moisture from moving upward through the structure.
In plumbing, capillary action can contribute to unwanted water movement through small gaps or joints, leading to leaks and moisture buildup. Ensuring proper sealing and pipe maintenance can help prevent capillary action from causing issues in a home’s plumbing system.
Damp-proofing solutions include installing a physical damp-proof course, using waterproofing membranes, or applying specialized coatings to prevent capillary water rise. These methods help block the movement of moisture through porous materials and protect the home from the damaging effects of capillary action.
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