Moisture in masonry

Above our cellar, which is covered with 70cm of soil, the kitchen wall is damp. When digging down, we found that there is no insulation (only a tar coating on the cellar concrete and on the wall) and no drainage. What should we do? How far does the soil need to be removed, how wide should the trench be - at least we can do that ourselves. Do we need a regular construction company, a roofer, or a tinsmith? We want to properly insulate the perimeter. Since the kitchen is partly underground, the walls are also cold. The moisture behind the cellar should be able to drain away. How is proper insulation done when you have to properly protect a kind of "basin" (walls on 2 sides)? The underground part of the cellar is the air-raid shelter; the air in it is indeed humid, but the concrete shows no condensation spots. The part of the cellar under the kitchen is also fine regarding the walls - only the wall between the two cellars above ground is damaged. So far, nothing can be seen outside (no flaking plaster), but what lies underground apparently lets moisture through to the inside - the kitchen cabinets smell of mold, salt becomes immediately soaking wet, sugar quickly turns rock hard. The house is 20 years old, on a slope in Ticino, possibly also some water pressure from the hillside. And as said, no drainage. Is a Minergie specialist possibly suitable, or rather a company like Sica-Bau?

Hello, it was similar with an acquaintance of mine. At first good advice was hard to come by, but then another acquaintance recommended the company Rebaxit AG (I think that's what they were called). Since then he has been worry-free. I haven't heard anything negative since. They did the work quickly and competently.

Hi,

Thank you for the hint and we have a similar problem. I will contact the company mentioned here.

Are there any other company recommendations here?

I would be very grateful.

I know SIKA Bau AG and they are active in the field of building protection. However, to what extent they can help, I am not sure. But they have numerous branches in Switzerland. Just use the search engine, then it will be found.

Hello,

I find this defect really shocking. Well, the house is 20 years old and at that time it might not have been a regulation. Or they just saved money. In any case, have this damage repaired by a professional company.

Best regards

I think this has nothing to do with the age of the house. 20 years is not an age for a house. It just wasn't done properly. It is impossible to do this work alone. Just find a professional company in the region. Then invite them and discuss everything. I would also gradually order 3 companies and then compare the cost estimates.