Moisture-related Inquiries on the Rise
Buildwise’s Technical Advice Service (ATA) receives over 15,000 technical questions annually from contractors and architects. These inquiries typically concern issues on construction sites or in completed buildings. Buildwise engineers analyze the questions, open cases, visit sites when necessary, and provide targeted advice. All advice is recorded in an extensive database to help solve common problems more quickly.
In 2024, ATA opened 10% more cases in response to technical inquiries from construction professionals. The share of cases related to ‘moisture’ increased from 16.5% to 18%. However, the top category of ‘construction details and connection execution,’ where problems typically arise in wet conditions, also increased from 20.5% to 22%. Moreover, categories such as movement/deformation (7%), cracking (4%), and chemical or biological damage (4%) often manifest under the influence of moisture.
Moisture in Buildings – What Are the Causes?
Infiltration (e.g., leaks in the roof) remains the most frequent moisture problem, accounting for 56% of inquiries in the ‘moisture’ category. Condensation is responsible for 25%. No other moisture causes exceed 10%: construction moisture (5%), capillarity and rising damp (7%), mold (4%), leaks (2%), and hygroscopicity (1%). The building components where moisture problems appear also provide interesting insights. 34% of moisture issues were found in walls and facades, 20% on flat roofs. Excavated structures account for 14%, and joinery for 11%. Floors (8%), sloping roofs (6%), technical installations (3%), and other areas (4%) remain under 10%.
What is clear from the numbers is that last year’s exceptionally long rainy period had a major impact on the sector. The rise in the number of inquiries also shows that more and more construction professionals are aware of the advice we offer—something that’s clearly evident during our interactions. The concrete issues behind the numbers confirm that it is crucial for the construction sector to pay proper attention to technically correct design, the proper execution of construction details and connections, and solid maintenance! As the knowledge center for the Belgian construction sector, Buildwise provides the necessary support in this area.
Buildwise has gathered all relevant information on moisture in buildings for all construction professions on this page. Construction professionals who are members of Buildwise can submit technical inquiries through this link.
About Buildwise
Buildwise, formerly WTCB, was founded in 1959 by the construction sector. Buildwise’s mission is to support construction professionals in improving quality, productivity, and sustainability, and to pave the way for innovation on construction sites and in construction companies. Practical application is paramount. That’s why the Technical Committees, where representatives from the construction sector sit, are crucial to our operations. As an innovation center, Buildwise not only focuses on the near future but also aims to take on a visionary pioneering role in a society that is changing ever more rapidly. Buildwise has around 300 employees spread across offices and research labs in every region.
