Chrome steel sheet process
Mechanical horizontal barrier against rising damp
Permanent solution for dry walls
Damp walls, flaking plaster, salt efflorescence or musty room air are often indications of capillary rising damp. Old buildings in particular often lack a functioning horizontal barrier. As a result, water can rise capillary from the ground into the masonry and cause long-term damage to the building fabric, indoor climate and thermal insulation.
The chrome steel sheet method (also colloquially known as the stainless steel lining method) is a mechanical method for retrofitting wall drainage. This method was invented and patented by the founders of HW-Mauertrockenlegung (Dipl. Ing. Haböck and Dipl. Vw. Ing. Weinzierl), which is why it is also referred to as the HW method or wall drying according to the HW system.
This involves installing a permanent, mechanical barrier made of stainless steel into the masonry. This barrier interrupts the capillary rise of moisture and prevents water from being transported further upward into the masonry.
HW-Mauerrockenlegung has developed its own process for this with specially developed stainless steel plates and suitable impact equipment. The work is carried out by trained HW partner companies.
How does the chromium steel sheet process work?
In the patented original design, corrugated stainless steel plates are driven into a continuous expansion joint in the masonry. The plates overlap laterally, thereby forming a continuous barrier. This barrier permanently separates the upper portion of the wall from the damp lower portion of the masonry.
After installation, the masonry above the barrier can dry out. This improves the indoor climate, thermal insulation and quality of living. At the same time, further moisture damage is prevented.
Further renovation measures (e.g. plaster renovation) are then possible.
Go with the original! The term „stainless steel sheet method“ is used as a general designation for methods of retrofitting horizontal waterproofing using stainless steel sheets. Such technical terms are frequently used in requests for proposals and specifications to describe the work independently of specific brands or manufacturers.
The original version of this process is the HW process, named after its inventors, Dipl.-Ing. Herwig Haböck and Dipl.-Vw.-Ing. Bruno Weinzierl, who developed, patented, and established this technology on the market.
With HW Wall Drying and our partner companies, you can rely on the original method, durable materials, and an effective solution for drying out your walls.
HW chromium steel sheet process: Cutting & sealing in one work step
In the original, patented HW method, rust- and acid-resistant stainless steel plates are driven into the masonry using special pneumatic impact tools.
Unlike two-stage processes, the masonry does not have to be sawn open first and then sealed. With our HW method, cutting and sealing are carried out in a single work step. As a result
The original, patented HW stainless steel plate features a special, arrowhead-shaped driving edge. This reduces driving resistance, surface friction, and vibrations during installation. The method is therefore also suitable for thicker walls up to 1 m, provided there is a continuous horizontal expansion joint.
When is the chromium steel sheet process useful?
The chrome steel sheet method is useful if the moisture in the masonry is caused by capillary rising ground moisture. This is particularly common in older buildings.
Many old buildings were made of brick and are therefore particularly sensitive to rising damp. Due to the construction method used at the time, the waterproofing is usually missing completely or is no longer functional today.
Typical signs of damp walls are
- Damp plinth areas
- peeling plaster
- Salt efflorescence
- Dark damp edges
- musty odor
- Mold formation
- Cold, clammy wall surfaces
HW wall drying
Before beginning work, it is necessary to check whether there is a continuous horizontal expansion joint. This is a prerequisite for installing the stainless steel panels. Our partner companies will, of course, perform this check at the outset and then install the horizontal barrier.. You'll receive all the important information in advance regarding the process, implementation, and potential costs.
Get in touch with us and we will put you in touch with a partner in your area. Or you can visit our partner page directly.
Advantages of the chrome steel sheet process from HW
The Original HW chrome steel sheet method offers a permanent solution to capillary moisture rise. The stainless steel sheets form a mechanically stable and rot-proof barrier layer within the masonry. The advantages of this method are:
Special stainless steel plates are used in the HW process. As no chemical injection is used, this process is particularly environmentally friendly.
Just one work step
Cutting & sealing are carried out in just one work step. This saves you time and money. The work is always carried out by trained HW partners.
Sealing is gentle on the wall: no drilling into the wall, no removal of masonry substance & reduced impact resistance.
Maintenance-free, versatile, durable
Stainless steel is particularly durable, which is why maintenance of the barrier is not necessary. Our method is also suitable for walls up to 1 m thick.
Chrome steel sheet process or injection process?
In the injection method, chemical substances are introduced into the masonry through drill holes. These are intended to seal the capillaries or make them water-repellent. However, the effectiveness of this injection depends heavily on the methodology, the choice of injection agent, the type of masonry, the degree of moisture penetration, the presence of voids, and the even distribution of the injection agent.
The chromium steel sheet method, on the other hand, works differently: it forms a continuous mechanical barrier layer and physically prevents moisture from rising further. No chemical injection is therefore required here, which makes this method more environmentally friendly.
It is important to note that an injection method does not always reliably eliminate the cause of capillary moisture. In contrast, the HW method we have developed creates a permanent stainless steel barrier within the masonry. This makes the method cost-effective in the long term and helps reduce future costs.
Procedure: How wall drying with HW works
Our partner companies in Germany, Austria and other European countries use our stainless steel plates and implement our patented HW process. We will put you in touch with one of our partners in your area.
They proceed as follows when drying walls using the chrome steel sheet method:
First, the masonry is inspected on site by an HW partner company. This will determine the cause of the moisture and whether the HW process is technically suitable. You will receive initial information on the process, specific costs & possible remedial measures.
The stainless steel panels are then inserted into the continuous bed joint using the special HW impact device. The panels overlap and form a continuous horizontal barrier layer. It is then no longer possible for moisture to rise.
Once installed, the flow of moisture from below is blocked. The masonry above the barrier can dry out. Depending on the extent of the damage, additional measures—such as plaster restoration—may be necessary. You will receive personalized information regarding this from our partner company.
Is the chromium steel sheet process also suitable for cellars?
The method can also be used in basements if the technical requirements are met. The decisive factor is whether the moisture actually rises capillary from below and whether there is a continuous bed joint.
In basements, it is also necessary to check whether moisture is penetrating laterally from the ground. In this case, a horizontal barrier alone cannot eliminate all causes of moisture. An intact or supplementary vertical waterproofing may be required for basement waterproofing.
Specialized material for coastal areas and masonry exposed to high levels of salt
The HW process is also suitable for coastal areas and the special climatic conditions in these regions. For demanding environments, HW uses CrNiMo sheets made of chrome-nickel-molybdenum stainless steel. This material is particularly suitable for structures exposed to salt, such as in coastal areas.
Due to their molybdenum content, the plates are particularly resistant to corrosion caused by chloride- and halogen-containing media. This makes them significantly more resistant to pitting and crevice corrosion than conventional stainless steels.
HW wall drying: Dry walls for over 50 years
HW wall drying He is the inventor of the only single-stage mechanical dewatering process, as well as the stainless steel plates required for it.
The practical implementation is carried out by trained partner companies in Germany, Austria, and other European countries.
For over 50 years, HW has stood for mechanical wall drying with technical precision, durable materials and professional implementation. The aim is to provide a durable, maintenance-free solution against capillary rising damp that is gentle on the building fabric.
Our specially developed HW horizontal barrier was designed for permanent mechanical sealing against capillary rising damp. The process is even suitable for solid masonry with wall thicknesses of up to 1 m.
50 years of experience
For more than 50 years, we have been involved in the development and optimization of mechanical drainage systems without chemical injection. This technical know-how is continuously incorporated into our products and methods.
Our partner companies receive specific training and work according to the specifications of the HW system. This enables us to guarantee professional, reliable and substance-friendly implementation directly on site.
Permanent solution with guarantee
The HW horizontal barrier forms a durable, maintenance-free barrier layer made of stainless steel. The process is carried out in just one step and ensures long-term interruption of capillary moisture rise.
Transparent costs
A detailed assessment of the masonry is carried out before work begins. Our partners provide transparent information about technical options, the work process and the expected costs.
Have the chrome steel sheet process tested now
Do you have damp walls, salt efflorescence or mold in the building? Then the cause should be professionally investigated. If there is capillary rising damp, the HW chrome steel sheet method is a permanent solution for drying out walls.
Contact us - we will inform you about the method, answer your questions and put you in touch with a qualified HW partner company in your area.
