Concrete, by nature, is a very porous material. That’s because after it is poured, the water used to mix it has to evaporate. As this water pushes to the surface it leaves behind a network of
fine capillaries that
will lift water in your walls unless your house does not have a
capillarity barrier between footings and cinder block. It will create
efflorescence on the lower part of your walls because of the calcium salts in the cement paste, and it will generate a damp, unhealthy environment. Over time it will seriously affect the resistance of a load bearing wall. Fixing such problems AFTER the construction phase is VERY difficult and EXPENSIVE. Newer constructions usually employ a bituminous coating in order to stop the capillary action of concrete and cinder block, but that’s not always the case with older ones.
During our inspection we use a Thermographic Camera to check for temperature differences indicating the presence of moisture. We then confirm the presence of moisture by using a professional Concrete Moisture Meter:
And this is what the Moisture Meter reads:
About
My name is Eduard Marcu and I am the owner and operator of EdInspect. As a former general contractor my field of expertise extends from residential building to swimming pools and outdoor installations. My experience and knowledge about construction methods and utility systems in Mexico, combined with the use of modern investigation equipment is the ideal formula when it comes to home inspection allowing me to help you make a wise decision when investing in a property.
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This blog discusses about the Moisture Detection in Concrete and Cinder Block, focusing on Humidity Presence in Roofs, Walls, and Floors, and concluding with confirming the presence of moisture using a professional Concrete Moisture Meter
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