Pathogenic effects of water in construction

Water in construction is necessary in many respects (concrete, plaster, etc.), whether in solid, liquid or gaseous form, but it is also a factor of aggression and sometimes even a formidable enemy.

Given its scope, such a study is unlikely to be exhaustive.

In this study, which is not theoretical but based on several thousand claims and expert reports, we seek to identify the various types of pathologies, some of them serious, linked to water in all its forms, and the means of remedying them, sometimes with very heavy financial consequences.

Here again, we can see that most of the time, we're dealing with crude mistakes that stem from an oversight of basic, sometimes elementary, principles.

Finally, we will attempt to draw some useful lessons and/or recommendations for builders, to help them improve the prevention of disorders.

For builders, water is both an invaluable aid and a formidable hazard, which can manifest itself in a variety of ways at almost any point in the construction process.

Water is essential for the production of concrete, mortar, plaster, etc.

But from another point of view, the aggressiveness of water is apparent at every stage of construction and throughout the life of the structures.

Humidity can also be a major concern for residents.

Whether in the form of :

• solid (ice) ;

• liquid (rain, leaks, soil circulation) ;

• gas (giving rise to condensation).

Water is the main cause of damage to buildings, and can occur at any point in the construction and affect any structure.

The damage it causes is manifold, and its harmful effects are often visible, but can also remain hidden until the appearance of major, even irreparable damage.

Water is an atypical liquid compared to other liquids, with surprising properties.

For example:

• water solidifies at 0° with an increase in volume (9 to 10%);

• water dissolves gases and many salts;

• the viscosity of water under pressure decreases;

• its specific heat is very high, etc.

The properties of water are sometimes poorly understood by technicians.

There are many causes of dampness, but the main ones are :

• water from external sources :

  • ...