Fixing Moisture: Price and Budgets

• Capillary moisture: occurs when ground moisture filters through the capillaries of construction materials. It appears at the base of walls and structures, creating stains and mold. They are very difficult to eliminate; the most effective solution is to apply active electroosmosis treatments, at an average price of 80€/m². Anti-moisture injections (between 80€ and 120€/m²) and placement of ceramic siphons in the wall (40€/siphon) are other common treatments. Once eradicated, the surface will need to be filled, sanded, and repainted.
• Condensation moisture: originates from water vapor condensation in cold, humid, and poorly insulated spaces. To eliminate them, ventilation systems must be installed or the insulation of spaces improved by changing windows and/or backing walls with materials that include a vapor barrier. The average cost of installing a ventilation system is between 2,000€ and 5,000€. Replacing a window with one featuring double glazing and an RPT aluminum profile costs about 500€ onwards. Insulating a wall with rock wool, drywall, and vapor barrier comes to about 20€/m², plus paint and finishes.
• Infiltration moisture: caused by water filtering from outside, from another property, or from a pipe leak. To fix them, the underlying problem must be solved and the affected surface must be re-coated or painted. These are the easiest moisture problems to solve. Removing infiltration moisture, solving the original problem, and fixing the affected surface costs about 100€/m². On exterior walls, fixing this type of moisture with anti-moisture cement mortar has an average price of 320€/m².
• Labor: the cost of labor depends on the type of repair. Fixing moisture by applying products (with brush or roller) costs less than injecting water-repellent products. Generally, this item accounts for between 10% and 15% of the total cost of the work.

The sooner moisture is fixed in a commercial space, home, or office, the better. If left unchecked, water can degrade materials as hard as brick or concrete, and completely destroy wood, paint, or wallpaper. The presence of moisture also causes health problems and worsens certain illnesses.

Trying to repair it yourself

It's always best to turn to experts, who will quickly identify the cause and act effectively. If a non-professional attempts to fix a serious moisture problem, it's most likely they will do a superficial repair. Over time, the stains will reappear.

• Surface condition: if the wall, facade, ceiling, or floor only has some stains and the material is not very affected, the cost of fixing the moisture will be much lower. When there is structural damage (cracks, material detachment, deterioration…), in addition to eradicating the moisture, the surface will need to be rebuilt or re-coated. The cost can increase by up to 50% or even more.
• Anti-moisture treatment: the usual ones are active electroosmosis and injection of specific products for capillary problems. Leaks are solved with anti-moisture mortars and plastic sealants, with which cracks and areas where water seeps in are filled. Condensation moisture is eradicated by improving the ventilation of spaces or properly insulating them, especially around windows (double glazing and profiles with thermal break rupture RPT). The most expensive treatment is usually active electroosmosis, but if windows need to be changed, the cost of treating condensation moisture can be even higher. The most economical is the treatment of infiltration moisture.
• Other work: when fixing moisture in a house, often other problems caused by water must be solved. Leaks can be caused by a broken pipe; fixing it costs an average of 30€/hour. If the electrical installation needs to be repaired, the average cost per light outlet is 50€. Painting a facade after removing moisture costs about 10€/m². If interior walls need to be sanded and painted, the cost will increase by about 30€/m².