Dampness due to capillarity is a type of building pathology, easily diagnosed, though often bothersome to solve.

We usually find them in the lower part of the walls that are in contact with the ground. Condensation on the flooring and walls are the origin of this pathology, which in many cases have a direct cause, either due to leaks, high water table levels, rainwater, runoff or leaks; and in general, due to the poor waterproofing of the walls or their direct contact with the ground.

These pathologies will encourage the presence of microorganisms, odours and indoor environmental humidity and, on another level, the loss of mechanical performance of the materials, reducing their durability and forcing continuous refurbishment or maintenance work.

The prior analysis of the water table, the presence of water, the orientation of the properties and, of course, the proper treatment of the walls with waterproof materials is essential.

Yet when dealing with humidity inherent in the ground, beyond problems such as those previously exposed, the fact of avoiding the capillarity of foundations and screeds is essential.

In this scenario, we must make a distinction between rehabilitation projects and new construction.

The difference is immediate, the fact of being able to treat the land initially, waterproof foundations and horizontal walls is fundamental in new construction, but much more difficult and expensive in rehabilitation.

In such a way that, in rehabilitation works, in which we can hardly treat the base of the walls or in depth the ground, the placement of waterproof elements in it, beyond solving the problem in flooring, will increase it in vertical walls.

For this reason, we must let the ground “breathe” under the floors, and properly ventilate the sanitary cavities, in order to extract this inherent humidity, preventing it from condensing and appearing on floors and walls over time thus leading to thermal losses.

Thus, previous actions or reforms that correct water leaks, the cleaning and drying of the land, the waterproofing of the foundations or more complex techniques such as electro-osmotic barriers, etc., will palliate and delay the appearance of the aforesaid pathology.

The solution of the ventilated floors and sanitary slabs is particularly noteworthy. In use for more than 20 years, the Cáviti System breaks the capillarity with the ground since the pillars generated by the system have a plastic coating on their base, and allows bidirectional ventilation of the sanitary chamber, dissipating humidity and avoiding condensation, which cumulatively would lead to it leaving its presence felt inside the property.