damp walls at terrace doors and front door

Hello

I have a small problem with damp walls on the left and right sides next to the patio doors and the front door. So, there is moisture on the walls between 25 - 40 cm high.

We already had this problem in the spring. At that time, I spoke with our builder and he said it was due to the silicone joints. These seal the transition between the window and the tiles on the outside. So that the rainwater runs down the windows and flows over the silicone joint onto the tiles.

I looked at it back then and the joint had visible cracks because everything had settled since the house was built in 2008. I then renewed the joints and had peace over the summer.

After the heavy rains in the past few days, it is damp again. I looked at the new silicone joints again and could not find any cracks or holes. To be sure, I applied silicone properly over it again.

Now my questions:

There is foam between the window frame and the brick wall on the exterior walls. Could it be that this absorbs water and lets it run inside between the brick and the interior wall?

Where else could the water be coming from?

How do I best get the water out again? I think it runs underneath the screed. By the way, we have underfloor heating - but there is no pressure drop.

I would appreciate any tips. Thank you very much for your help.

Regards Christian Hölscher

Hello Christian,
just post a picture here from the construction phase where you can see the waterproofing used on the floor slab against rising damp.

Hello,

we have just finished construction and luckily this problem has not occurred with us yet. What I can say for sure about our house is that none of the windows and doors have been sealed airtight on the inside. According to the Energy Saving Ordinance, however, this is mandatory. If a similar situation occurs with you and the exterior sealing is also missing (against moisture), then it is very likely due to the air exchange at the construction level of the window-patio door/raw concrete. This is where the airtight sealing belongs. Silicone is not a solution here!!! Cold air inevitably flows behind the floor-to-ceiling elements and warm air stands opposite. The result can/will probably be condensate, which then slowly rises up in the reveals / capillary action. If you don’t have photos, that is not ideal. To prove that the sealing is missing there, the only help is to open it. This can also be done from the outside, because if the construction foam, in which the doors are installed, is gone, then a sealing tape should also be visible from outside. The lateral and upper sealing are present with us, only the lower one is missing. According to the lawyer, a significant construction defect. Because as you describe it and since this problem appears with moisture and in winter, it unfortunately sounds like the same pattern. Advice: lawyer + expert and do it quickly. The problem disappears in summer and the mold will be even worse next winter.

Regards

Hello Christian

Unfortunately, there are many possible causes for your problem. This can ultimately only be narrowed down through knowledge of the construction (detailed drawing/work planning) and execution (tender/award of contract with the wording of the "ordered service"). Especially if there are no pictures of the affected components.

But regardless, it is a construction defect that must be remedied. This has, and must, certainly have nothing to do with the contractor. Others are responsible for this, including the architect and site manager!

The window installation must be carried out according to the corresponding RAL standard. This has clearly specified for many years how it must be professionally executed. If this is not the case, it is a construction defect!

The "foam" you mentioned is hardly the cause of moisture penetration. This was used instead of construction foam and is only part of the installation guideline prescribed according to the RAL standard.

Furthermore, it is also pointless to apply another "thick" layer of silicone joint over it. This is actually also a construction defect because it does not work that way and must not be installed like that. At least not by a professional. In addition, there should be an aluminum threshold at the connection to the terrace door, under which the tile covering is pulled to the door element. A silicone joint there makes no sense; the element must be fundamentally and permanently sealed. Such a permanent seal definitely does not include a silicone joint! It represents an elastic joint filler, which itself is not subject to warranty. Therefore, it must always be inspected and renewed if necessary (but please then observe the installation instructions..!).

We have this issue. We also built in 2008 and at first everything was OK. For a few months now we have had the same problem with large windows (patio doors). After heavy rain, the walls to the right and left of the doors are wet. The wall is a weather-exposed side. We have already sealed around the window frames from the outside with acrylic and also around the windowsill. We built the house ourselves and applied the aluminum sealing from the outside (aluminum adhesive tape). Interestingly, the problem only occurs at these two large windows. On the exposed side we have more windows (all only small windows) but nowhere do we have leaks. Do you have roller shutter boxes on the large windows? We wanted to ask Christian if he has made any progress with his problem? Maybe someone can help us. Best regards

Hello,

Now my questions: On the exterior walls there is foam between the window frame and the clinker wall. Could it be that this absorbs water and lets it run inside between the clinker and the interior wall? Where else could the water be coming from?

What is your construction supervisor's/assistant's opinion? best regards