Diagnosis of Rising Damp and Cracks in a Home in Anoia

1. The Problem: Persistent Dampness and Structural Alarm

The owner of a single-family home in the Anoia region contacted us alarmed by the rapid proliferation of severe dampness on the lower walls of the house and the appearance of cracks on both interior walls and exterior terraces. Her main concern (and the reason for requesting the visit of an Expert Engineer) was to rule out a possible safety failure in the building's foundation.

2. Technical Inspection and Diagnosis

We deployed a technical visual inspection, complemented with moisture measurement instruments, without the need to resort to immediate destructive testing. The diagnosis revealed two independent fronts:

• Structural Failure Ruled Out: A marked horizontal crack in a partition wall and cracks in the exterior pavement were analyzed. The study concluded that their origin responded to normal deformations (deflection of the support beam) and natural settlements of the ground stabilized over time. The openings were within normatively tolerable limits and posed no risk of collapse.
• Rising Damp Pathology: A clear ascent of moisture was documented in the walls in direct contact with the lower levels of the ground. The origin was intrinsic to the construction techniques of the time: the absence of waterproofing on the back of the foundation and load-bearing walls.

3. Conclusion and Proposed Solution

The expert report provided a twofold solution. Firstly, it offered the owner the technical and documented peace of mind that the structure of her home was sound and operational.

Secondly, regarding the unhealthy source of the dampness, the report established an unavoidable technical roadmap: the execution of waterproofing through the injection of water-repellent resins at the base of the walls, creating a chemical cut-off plane to halt capillary advance. With this document, the client was able to request accurate renovation quotes, avoiding ineffective cosmetic solutions proposed by third parties.