Rising damp is the single most common building defect we encounter in Maltese properties. It affects everything from traditional townhouses in Valletta to modern villas in the countryside. The problem is particularly severe in Malta because our local Globigerina limestone is highly porous and capillary-active, drawing groundwater upward like a sponge. When this moisture reaches the surface and evaporates, it leaves behind dissolved salts — primarily chlorides, sulphates and nitrates. These salts are hygroscopic, meaning they attract moisture from the air, and they crystallise with tremendous force, expanding up to ten times their volume. This crystallisation pressure physically destroys plaster, paint and even the stone itself from within. The damage is not merely cosmetic. Over time, rising damp and salt damage can compromise structural integrity, destroy decorative features, and create unhealthy living conditions. The key to solving it is not simply blocking moisture — which is impossible in old buildings — but managing it through breathable systems that allow moisture to pass through harmlessly while preventing salt accumulation at the surface.