CAPILLARY RISING DAMP IN HISTORICAL BUILDINGS: ELECTROPHYSICAL CHARGE NEUTRALIZATION TECHNOLOGY - A NEEDFUL “ZERO IMPACT” INSTRUMENT TO PREVENT AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL

Rossetto M.

Gruppo Leonardo Solutions – Domodry, Legnano (MI), Italy

Abstract

Among those working in the field, capillary rising damp is a well-known problem, particularly considering the serious consequences and typical pathological effects it has on masonry — and by pathologies we mean all forms of deterioration caused by moisture on surfaces and/or inside the walls (chemical, physical, biological decay, etc.) — and on the thermo-hygrometric conditions of the internal environments, reducing the sense of wellness and increasing the risks for both human health and preservation of the works of art contained therein.

Nevertheless, if we take a close look at all the techniques currently used to counteract this problem and run a statistical analysis of their "dehumidification capacity" and the "duration of the effect" in time, we find that none of the above techniques have been able to resolve the problem, much less guarantee the results in the long run.

This is due to the fact that the "modeling" of the phenomenon of "capillary rising damp" used to set-up and apply the various techniques was wrong or incomplete, only partially representing the real physical phenomenon.

Instead, the charge neutralization technology (C.N.T.) takes a different tack, turning previous approaches to the problem on their ear. Indeed C.N.T. has succeeded where previous techniques have failed — achieving total, definitive resolution for nearly any type of building material, structure, age or site, and no matter what the starting water and/or salt content in the walls!