How to insulate a damp wall?
Rising damp, saltpeter, dry rot, mold... How to insulate a damp wall?
Optimizing insulation is essential to ensure the thermal comfort of your home while reducing heating costs. However, when moisture penetrates, particularly in the walls, the situation becomes complicated. Inadequate insulation can retain moisture and cause structural damage. To ensure effective and long-lasting insulation, it is essential to resolve moisture problems upstream. Learn how to identify these sources and treat them before insulating a damp wall, in order to guarantee a healthy and dry environment in the long term.
Insulate a damp wall to preserve your health
In addition to their unsightly and uncomfortable appearance, damp walls can have serious health repercussions. Indeed, indoor humidity can cause respiratory problems, joint conditions and allergies. For example, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) indicates that the growth of mould releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of fungal origin, which can cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose and throat. In addition, mould emits mycotoxins that are particularly dangerous for the respiratory system, especially in the most vulnerable populations, such as infants, the elderly or the sick. These symptoms can also include itching, headaches and, in some cases, neurological disorders in young children.
Insulate a damp wall to prevent building deterioration
The presence of moisture, whether in liquid or gaseous form, within the envelope of a building directly affects its structure, constituting one of the main causes of deterioration of homes. In the long term, moisture can lead to significant deterioration of building materials, with potentially serious consequences. For example, in a stone wall, water can gradually cause demineralization and crumbling, weakening its ability to support the structure. In addition, a crack, even a small one, if left untreated, can quickly grow larger, particularly during the winter months due to freeze-thaw cycles.
Optimize thermal comfort and save energy by insulating a damp wall
A damp wall has a negative impact on your well-being, increasing the sensation of cold in winter (despite heating) and heat in summer. In addition, it promotes the formation of thermal bridges, which lead to heat loss, thus increasing your energy costs unnecessarily. Insulating a damp wall not only improves the thermal comfort of your home, but also saves on heating costs in the long term.
In short, insulating a damp wall is not only about improving the thermal comfort of your home, but it also plays a crucial role in reducing energy costs and preserving the very structure of your home. By eliminating thermal bridges and reducing heat loss, you create a more pleasant indoor environment while making significant savings in the long term. By investing in the insulation of your damp walls, you not only contribute to your well-being, but also to the sustainability of your home and the protection of the environment.