History
The Church and Convent of St. Catherine, whose construction began in 1346 in the area of the city that was once used as a wood square, since June 2002 has been the main seat of the Treviso Civic Museums, which house the Stories of St. Ursula: a cycle of 14th-century frescoes considered to be one of the best works by Tommaso da Modena.
An imposing and fascinating complex, containing an important part of the city’s history, which has been renovated several times to keep its beauty intact.
The Intervention
The most recent restoration, which took place in 2017, required significant waterproofing of the basement due to major infiltration problems from both the bottom and the walls, considering that water table is particulary high. Serious damage that made it necessary to close the museum room.
A great challenge, both in terms of works to be carried out and in terms of time, considering the need to reopen to the public one of the city’s most interesting works of art.
The intervention was necessary and urgent. Seepages were severely compromising the entire basement of the museum.
Once the entire structure had been laid bare and all the finishes demolished, attention immediately focused on the reinforced concrete substrate, which was in very poor condition: friable, degraded and full of cracks.
The urgent intervention
Thus the primary need to intervene immediately emerged to temporarily stop the infiltrations and manage the total waterproofing of the basement, the access staircase and the tunnel connecting to the other museum area.
The work involved a team of specialists and solutions to seal every crawl space, crack and joint with specific waterproof mortars.
To be complete and long-lasting, the work also had to be structural in nature to achieve a better, stronger and more stable support.
The detail
All the walls were treated in a workmanlike manner, taking care not to omit any detail: plastered with fibre-reinforced coating technology with a waterproof function and covered with fibreglass mesh for the benefit of a widespread distribution of stresses and greater dimensional stability.
The base was also treated with a thick cast of approximately 7 cm of self-levelling waterproofing mortar to prevent it from rising.
The casting joints
The new casting joints were sealed and all surfaces treated with a highly elastic waterproof coating to increase the level of waterproofing even in the presence of negative hydrostatic buoyancy.
How do you damp proof a basement from the inside?
Before starting any damp proofing project, it’s crucial to identify the source of moisture and address any underlying issues that may contribute to dampness. Consulting with a professional waterproofing contractor can help determine the most effective approach for damp proofing based on the specific conditions of your basement. Keep in mind that while these methods can be effective for damp proofing, they may not be suitable for addressing severe water infiltration or flooding issues.
Damp proofing a basement from the inside involves creating a barrier within the structure to prevent moisture from entering. Here are some common methods for damp proofing a basement from the inside:
Repairing Cracks and Gaps
Seal any cracks or gaps in the basement walls and floor using appropriate sealants. This prevents water from entering through these openings.
Interior waterproof Sealants, Plaster and Coatings
Apply waterproof sealants, plasters or coatings to the interior walls. These materials create a barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating through the walls.
Waterproof Membranes
Apply waterproof membranes to the interior walls. These membranes act as a barrier against moisture and can be installed on the entire pavement and wall surface with a counterstructure able to resist to water pressure.
Humidity Control Systems
Use dehumidification plasters or ventilation systems to control the humidity levels in the basement. Lower humidity helps prevent condensation and dampness.
How Does Interior Basement Waterproofing Work?
Interior basement waterproofing methods focus on managing water that has already entered the basement or preventing future water infiltration from the inside of the structure. Methods recommended by Volteco are based on customized solution to the existing basement obtained by reinforce and waterproof the structure from inside.
How long does interior waterproofing last?
Waterproofing products accomplish the standard European warranty. Usually, application and product warranty are valid for 10 years up to several conditions and preliminary controls (in particular if some insurances are connected to these jobs) and that can be extended after periodical maintenance. From practical point of view there are several waterproofing applications realized in constant severe conditions like in Venice and no problems are reported after 40 years
