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.
2,800,000
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS AFFECTED BY INVASIVE GROUNDWATER IN THE UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND INDIA
R800,000,000
APPROXIMATE VALUE OF INSURANCE CLAIMS RESULTING FROM INVASIVE GROUNDWATER PER YEAR IN THESE REGIONS

65%

OF THESE AFFECTED BUILDINGS WILL SEEK IMMEDIATE REMEDIATION

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed public health concerns, together with indoor air quality and purification, under a microscope at the epicenter of our global health initiative.

The Green movement has primarily focused on outdoor clean air quality. However, human beings spend up to 90% of their work or living time indoors within a building environment.

In a post-COVID 19 world, it has never been more important for building owners and managers to ensure a clean air environment for the health, well-being & productivity of coworkers and building inhabitants.

Unhealthy Buildings

Most buildings today suffer from Sick Building Syndrome, including environmental concerns such as high humidity levels, damp, mold, poor air quality & insulation, as well as pest control.

Health Performance Indicators (HPIs) for buildings are now key focus areas for leading research institutions across the globe.

The Problem – Rising Damp

Rising damp occurs when groundwater rises through walls, floors and masonry via capillary action, which is the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces in opposition to gravity.
A masonry structure is susceptible to natural rising damp. Damp will rise by capillary action through the pores of the masonry seeking a means of evaporation. Rising damp will continue until it reaches a height where gravity takes over and moisture stops rising. This height typically reaches up to 1.2 meters.

The Problem – Concrete Cancer

Concrete used in buildings is reinforced with steel and iron bars or mesh. When exposed to air and water, a weak carbonic acid begins to form and the bars begin to corrode.

Concrete is a porous material and can easily absorb the elements around it – including this corroding acid. Once corrosion starts, the steel expands, causing the surrounding concrete to crack, known as spalling.

Spalling can set off a vicious cycle by further exposing the steel to the elements and accelerating the level of corrosion. The impact on the building can lead to a compromise of structural integrity.

Rising damp damages a building's structural integrity and negatively impacts indoor air quality causing environmental hazards

The DriWay Solution

Through capillary action – the same phenomenon that makes a sponge soak up a spill – water bonds with building materials like masonry and concrete.

DriWay’s patented technology harvests ambient energy which naturally disrupts these bonds.

Once disruption has taken place, excess water trapped in foundations and walls is then liberated and evaporates, allowing masonry to return to its natural state or hydrodynamic equilibrium.

During the dehydration and evaporation process, a number of additional benefits are achieved, including improved indoor air quality, mold remediation and removal of bad odors.

BENEFITS

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

DriWay addresses the core of the problem preventing recurrence, ongoing remediation costs, asset degradation and in some instances increasing lettable area.

HEALTHIER BUILDINGS MEAN HEALTHIER OCCUPANT

Reduces moisture-related hazards like mold and infestations to improve indoor air quality, fostering better respiratory health.

IMPROVED STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

By removing invasive groundwater, DriWay enables the masonry structure to return to its intended water balance, thereby prolonging integrity.

ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

DriWay uses no chemicals or electricity and therefore is significantly kinder to the environment than alternative treatments.

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