Effectiveness of methods against rising damp in buildings: Results from the EMERISDA project

Abstract

Rising damp is a recurrent hazard to ancient buildings in Europe and its relevance is expected to increase in the future, due to climate changes. The presence of rising damp in walls does not only create an unpleasant climate in buildings, but it also enhances damage processes such as frost action, salt crystallization and biological growth, with possible consequences on the health of the inhabitants. The relevance of this problem is reflected by the large variety of products on the market. The wide and differentiated offer and the scarce scientific information on the effectiveness of the methods make it difficult, (even) for professionals working in the field, to choose a suitable intervention on a sound basis. The JPICH-financed project EMERISDA (2014–2017) [1] aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of different intervention methods against rising damp. The project involved universities, research institutes, heritage agencies and companies (producers and contractors) in Belgium (BBRI, co-ordinator), Italy (CNR-ISAC, Universita’ Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Restauri Speciali s.r.l., Diasen s.r.l.) and The Netherlands (Delft University of Technology and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands). The research methodology included the use of an on-line questionnaire and experimental research in laboratory, on scale models and on-site. Both traditional methods, such as chemical injection, and more recent techniques, such as the so-called “electro-physical” methods have been investigated. [2] The following results of the EMERISDA project are presented in this paper: - Results from on-line questionnaire.- Definition of an experimental procedure for the assessment of the presence of rising damp and of the effectiveness of the intervention.- Prototype of decision support tool, which provides insight into the feasibility and risks of existing methods against rising damp and supports actors involved in conservation in the choice and application of the methods against rising damp.