Horizontal and vertical moisture barrier

A horizontal barrier prevents soil moisture because the masonry capillary rises. In new buildings will be installed by default, a horizontal barrier.

As a horizontal barrier are mostly tars or bitumen or heavy plastic films. These must be laid on a flat surface (such as mortar layer), is taking care that the orbits sufficient overlap at the joints. In buildings with basements often two or three horizontal barriers are installed, the first on the foundation, above the top of the soil (below the basement ceiling), so that just below the lock spray impinging on the wall.

In older buildings the horizontal barrier is often leaky or non-existent.
This is easily explained, as only about 1920 horizontal and vertical moisture barriers were state of the art. The waterproofing of the 20s was not permanently stable in any case, so that in many cases pending repairs.

Depending on the moisture penetration and building materials, there are several to seal.

Many buildings around the turn of the century have been created without the horizontal seals. Similarly, buildings with no more effective seals have generally increased moisture content in the masonry. In most cases, capillary water moves up the cause.