17.11.2009 - Frank Morgenstern
A few years ago I acquired an apartment building in a derelict condition for complete renovation and subsequent letting.

The apartment building was constructed in the founder years around 1894 and was still in its original condition, i.e. the water damage caused by rising damp and defective insulation had soaked the adjoining masonry up to the first floor. In the basement corridor there was a film of water in the central passage. After repeatedly examining other options for drying out the walls, we decided – in parallel with the conventional measures of the complete renovation – to test and have the Drymat system from your company installed.

The reasons for this were:

- considerably lower costs than with all other options,
- low construction effort and no obstruction of the other renovation works,
- no danger to the building fabric from the installation, as no permanent alteration was made,
- low follow-up risk, as the system can be removed again without any residual effects if it proves ineffective.

After about 3-4 months, a lowering of the water line in the future living area was clearly visible. After about 9 months I was able to observe a beginning, continuous drying effect in the basement area.
The readings, which initially did not change as expected, fell continuously from then on at all measuring points.

Example measuring point 1 - installation 17.02.2003
17.02.2003 31.03.2003 10.07.2003 03.06.2004 11.07.2006 16.09.2009
93.00        93.10        92.60         31.00         16.30         14.50

Even though, as a technical layperson, I still cannot picture or comprehend how it works to this day, I am very satisfied with the results. Only in one spot were we initially unable to remove a wall stain. It later turned out that the plaster had come away from the wall, was very high in salt and had thus absorbed the air humidity in the entrance area. After removing the plaster, I was astonished to see that the masonry beneath was already dry.

On the basis of these results and your extensive advice, I am very satisfied with your system and thank you sincerely. On 16.09.2009 I decided to fit out another property with Drymat as well.

Frank Morgenstern