Solutions

THE INVASIVE Groundwater PROBLEM

Invasive groundwater, also known as rising damp, is a global problem that creates an environment where a building’s health and integrity are compromised, accelerating deterioration and increasing maintenance costs.

APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS AFFECTED BY invasive groundwater IN THE UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND INDIA

$ 1

APPROXIMATE VALUE OF INSURANCE CLAIMS RESULTING FROM INVASIVE GROUNDWATER PER YEAR IN THESE REGIONS

1 %

OF THESE AFFECTED BUILDINGS WILL SEEK IMMEDIATE REMEDIATION

Source: EY Market Study: December, 2019

A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PROBLEM

Invasive groundwater and associated damage costs billions of U.S. dollars in building remediation costs incurred by real estate owners and tenants.

Capillary Action

Building materials, such as masonry, are porous and consist of millions of microscopic capillaries channels. Capillary action describes how water, through molecular attraction, can rise inside these capillaries against the forces of gravity. The same phenomenon can easily be demonstrated in how a sponge can pull water into its voids against the forces of gravity.

Structural Damage

Damage caused by invasive groundwater and the subsequent accumulation of salts in the walls of building structures increases the rate of degradation, resulting in the long-term erosion of building foundation, masonry and integrity, as well as other building maintenance issues.

Health Hazards

Moisture and high humidity accumulation often result in mold, insect infestations, and unpleasant odors.

Costly Repairs

Non-permanent and expensive remediation methods do not solve the problem, only temporarily treat the symptoms

Nine Foundations
of a Healthy Building

Source: Building Evidence for Health –

The 9 foundations of a healthy building, Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health, 2017

Benefits

Cost reduction

Other mitigation measures do not address the core problem, increase inhabitable space utilization or preserve asset value

Healthier Buildings Means Healthier Occupants

Healthier buildings means Healthier occupants reduction of moisture-related hazards like mold and infestations improves indoor air quality, fostering better respiratory health;

Improved Structural Integrity

Removing invasive groundwater returns a building’s structure to its original building specifications

Carbon Footprint

Reduces a building’s carbon footprint by decreasing electricity and other mitigation costs to address invasive groundwater symptoms like humidity and infestations