Presentation of the electrosmotic method, which is used to counter rising damp, reverse the course of water, stabilise the ground and create a drainage around buildings. www.eldry.gr

1. Treatment for Building
Humidity
The principles of the
electroosmosic
system

2. Rising Damp

3. Rising Damp

4. Before the installation
Water within a wall moves in the opposite
way from the gravity force, upwards, from,
which is situated on the ground to
which is situated on the wall
Humidity and electric potential
In walls with rising damp problem, the wall is negatively charged whereas the
ground is positively charged. Water, by nature is attracted by the negatively
charged element (fact based on the proven theory of electroosmosis).
It is relatively unknown that there is a
direct connection between rising damp
and electric potential within the
masonry. Water rises in the capillary of
the wall exactly as it does in plants. The
opposite way from the way gravity
works. This potential is countable and
forces an upward movement of water
molecules.
+ -
Rising damp
Salts on the wall
Evaporation zone
Wall above ground

5. Electroosmosis as rising damp
treatment
The electroosmotic method is known
for 200 years. It is used in several
areas (such as medicine) for many
years, but in the last 20 years it has
been applied in the dehumidification
of masonries. The main point of the
installation is to apply electrodes on
the wall and the ground in order to
reverse the polarity between them.
As observed in the picture, by
installing electrodes the result of the
reversal can be reached.
In this way we can gradually remove
the water from the masonry and force
it to move towards the negatively
charged ground.
Wall above ground
Salts solution
Water descending
Positive electrode
on the wall
Negative electrode
in the ground

6. Wall within the ground with
hydrostatic pressure and rising
damp
Before After

7. The diversity in the composition of building
materials that are used in lower and higher parts of
the buildings can cause a vast electric potential
difference.
For example, within a masonry, cement is much
more alkaline that brick. The pH difference
between the two attached elements causes the
difference of electric potential (the battery effect).
As mentioned above, water molecules by nature
tend to be attracted by negatively charged
elements. As a result we notice that buildings that
have been dry for hundreds of years, develop
rising damp, right after they get reinforced by
concrete.
It is necessary to apply the electroosmotic system
in all renovations as a precaution, in order to avoid
an increase of the capillary effect within the walls of
the building, due to polarity.
Humidity and restoration

8. •Suitable method for all kinds of walls
•Suitable method regardless of the wall thickness
•Internationally approved method of building dehumidification

9. The electroosmotic installation works as a permanent
horizontal and vertical barrier that prevents water from
entering the building.
Rising damp
Dry ground
Underground Water
LevelWet ground
Electroosmosis
installation
Power supply unit

10. before
Wet ground
Side wall without insulation
Side wall
with insulation
Wet ground
Water level
Rising damp and side damp in a building

11. Eliminating rising damp and side damp in a building
After

12. The major advantage of electroosmosis is that most of the water and salts
return directly to the ground.
The dehumidification begins with the reversal of the electric potential. The
electric current always chooses the “path” with the smallest resistance within
the wall. This means that the most humid area is the first to dry out. The
current will then flow through different paths until the wall dries out completely.
The electric resistance of dry masonry is so high, that the original electric
intensity falls down to 10%-20% as the wall dries out.
The electrosmotic method is internationally cerified as an electrophysical
method for building dehumidification, according to the Austrian Regulation
Onorm B3355-2.

13. The positively charged electric conductor that is used is
made of specially enhanced/enriched titanium, for
maximum endurance to corrosion.
The negatively charged electric conductor is made of 1,5
meter long rods, which are electrically insulated in most
of their body, contacting the ground only at their end, far
from the building (where we intend to guide the water
molecules).
The positively charged electrodes are installed ont the
masonry or the surface of the ground. The negatively
charged ones are planted in the ground, keeping some
distance from the building. The negatively charged rods
are planted every 2-3 meters creating an equable electric
field.
All the electrodes are connected to a main power supply
unit creating a protection ring around the building.
The electric conductors

14. Operation cost
Damp walls
•Constant expenses for repairing damaged
plaster
•Efficiency reduction of heat insulation up
to 80% , thus higher cost of heating the
building
In comparison to all the above, the
operational costs of an electroosmos
installation for a ring of 100m are extremely
low:
•Initially, 1 KWh/ month is required, which
is reduced to 1/5 when the masonry dries
out
•The initial electric intensity may rise to
500mA, but in 1 year it drops to100-50mA.

15. The required electric intensity in two
years time, as the masonry dries out
It can be easily noted that
as the building and the
ground around it dry out,
the required intensity of
the electric current
significantly drops. Upon
reaching the point of
completely dry walls, the
initial intensity will be
reduced up to 90%.

16. Stages of the elecroosmotic installation
•Humidity diagnosis from our highly trained engineers using the most
sophisticated portable lab equipment to perform DARR measurements
•Complete planning for the definitive deal of all types of humidity that
appear in the building
•Installation of the electroosmotic system
•Installation of the power supply unit
•Repair of all the minor damages on the building that are caused during
the installation (closure of holes, paths for the conductors etc)
•Measurement of electric potential around the building and final check for
proper operation
• Planning for restoration

17. Guarantee for operation
•The installation of the electroosmotic system guarantees the reverse of the
polarity in the masonry and the ground, the creation of a barrier that water
cannot surpass and the definite dehumidification of the building.
•The system is accompanied by a guarantee of proper function, for 10 years
since the day of the installation.
•The guarantee does not cover extra damages caused by unexpected factors
or faulty use of the system, in contrast to what is suggested by our company.

18. Explanation of the reason that water
molecules get attracted to the negative part
Water molecules
are gathered around
cations in a very
specific way.
The arrangement around a Na
cation.
Water forms strong bonds with
cations.

19. Explanation of the reason that water
molecules get attracted to the negative part
Water molecules are
grouping around Na cation
in a specific way, due
to ionic bonds

20. Explanation of the reason that water
molecules get attracted to the negative part
By installing the electroosmosis
System, Na cations are drawn
towards the negative pole,
causing water molecules
to follow

21. In the following pages, several cases of
electroosmotic installations are displayed.
In every case it is necessary to perform
modifications in the installation,
depending on the needs of each building
and the nature of the problem.

22. Case 1
•Wall up to 1 meter thick
•Bare ground
•Floor and ground on the same level
Installation of electrodes
•(+) Positively charged conductor on the
wall
•(-) Negatively charged rod in the ground,
below the foundation

23. Case 2
•Wall up to 1 meter thick
•Outside ground with cement
•Floor and ground on the same level
Installation of electrodes
•(+) Positively charged conductor on the
outside cement surface
•(-) Negatively charged rod in the ground,
below the foundation

24. •Wall of more than 1 meter thick
•Bare ground
•Floor and ground on the same level
Electrode installation:
•(+) Positively charged conductors on the
inside of the wall and on the floor
•(-) Negatively charged rod in the ground
outside below the foundation
Case 3

25. •Wall up to 1 meter thick
•Neighboring field in which we cannot
install
•Floor and ground on the same level
Electrode installation:
•(+) Positively charged conductor inside on
the wall
•(-) Negatively charged rod inside on the
floor, below the foundation level.
Case 4

26. Case 5
•Wall up to 1 meter thick
•Neighboring field in which we cannot install
•Floor and ground on the same level
Installation of electrodes:
•(+) Positively charged conductor inside on
the wall
•(-) Negatively charged rod installed
diagonally from the inside, bellow the
foundation level

27. •Lack of horizontal and vertical insulation
•Basement ceiling on higher level than the
ground
Electrode installation:
•(+) Positively charged conductor installed
inside the wall (skirting board level)
•(-) Negatively charged rods installed
outside, in the ground below the level of the
foundation
Case 6

28. Case 7
•Lack of vertical and horizontal insulation
•Basement ceiling above the ground level
•Inability to drill on the outside of the building
Electrode installation:
•(+) Positively charged conductor inside, in
the middle of the wall that is inside the
ground.
•(-) Negatively charged rods installed
diagonally by drilling through the wall that
ends in the ground, bellow the foundation

29. By the end of the dehumidification phase, the phase of renovation begins. The
biggest enemy of a previously wet wall, when it comes to proper renovation, is
salts.
It is certain that a large percentage of these salts will return to the ground,
drawn by the water. However, some of the salts will remain on the surface of
the masonry. Part of our job is to guide our clients in order to avoid future
restoration repairs.
Below you will find some methods and materials that are used depending
on the nature of the case.
Treatment of wall and proper renovation

30. Hygroscopic Humidity - Salts
Removal of salts with
specialized
techniques

31. The Delta – PT membrane
•Delta-PT membrane is
fixed on the wall with plastic
plugs
•It allows the wall to breathe
by leaving a gap of 0,8cm
between the wall and the
new plaster
•Its net allows the new
plaster to find the necessary
grip
•It can be applied directly,
even on wet walls, in cases
that the customer demands
an immediate restoration
•High endurance to salts
and humidity

32. 1.Starting stage of wet walls
5.Painting of the wall in the
original colour
4.Application of new plaster3.Installation of electroosmotic system
and DELTA – PT membrane
2.Removal of old plaster
Dehumidification and restoration

33. Plaster series
Deumidificazione by Diasen
•The first layer with
Diasen Rinzaffo
neutralizes salts that exist
on the wall, not allowing
them to reach the surface
and liquefy.
•For the second layer we
use Diasen Deumix to
provide the necessary
transpiration to the wall.
The plaster includes
detritus of cork which
gives perfect transpiration
and insulation to the wall

34. Accompanying measures to deal
with condensation and mould
• Diasen C.W.C. Insulation coating is applied internally
suitable for elimination of thermal bridges and condensation
damp – mould. Italian product.
• BioRid. Anti – condensation coating which specializes in
countering condensation damp and mould. Swedish product

35. Συνοδευτικά μέτρα αντιμετώπισης
υγρασίας διεισδύσεων
• Diasen ΒΚΚ and O.R.A. Waterproofing for walls
and floors. Transparent silicium based. Italian
products.

36. installations of electroosmotic
system in buildings around Greece

41. •Hotels
•Upper left: Hotel Akti Ouranoupoli
•Upper right: Hotel Doors Potidea Halkidiki
•Lower: Hotel Gkeea Halkidiki

42. •Upper left: Hotel Poseidon Halkidiki
•Upper right: Villa Livadi Corfu
•Hotels

43. •Temples - Monasteries
•Upper left: Temple in Polihni, Salonika
•Upper right: Monastery in Orestiada

44. Έργα της ELDRY
•Ναοί - Μοναστήρια
•Upper left: Temple of Saint Demetrious in Corfu
•Upper right: Russian Monastery in Holy Mount

45. •Left: The Clock Tower in Giannitsa
•Down: Locker Rooms of the Municipal Stadium
inTagarades

46. Locker rooms in Tagarades. In just three weeks
of operation.
Before
Before
After After