Case Study: How Venice is Solving its Moisture Problem and How It Can Benefit Australian Buildings

Even with good ventilation, the lower sections of walls often remain cold and damp, leading to visible staining, structural degradation, and unpleasant odours.

Traditional methods like chemical barriers or dehumidifiers offered only temporary relief. The challenge was to find a long-lasting, non-invasive, and energy-efficient solution compatible with Venice’s heritage architecture.

Solution

To address this problem, engineers turned to Warmset’s low-temperature far-infrared (FIR) heating technology, a system known to provide gentle, even warmth.

Instead of drying the air, Warmset works directly on the surface of the wall, keeping it at a stable temperature of around 15 °C. At this level, the wall stays above the dew-point temperature (the point where condensation forms), allowing moisture within the masonry to evaporate naturally. Once dry, the wall maintains this equilibrium, acting as a protective barrier against new rising damp while remaining completely invisible under the plaster.

Process

The Venetian project involved several heritage sites, including residential and civic buildings.
Each installation followed a clear four-step method:

1. Groove milling along the lower section of the wall.
2. Insertion of Warmset heating elements within the masonry.
3. Re-plastering and finishing, leaving no visible trace of the system.
4. Thermal camera verification, confirming a consistent surface temperature of ~15 °C.

Power consumption averaged just 10 W per linear metre, with infrared imaging showing warmth spreading gradually upward and downward through the wall, increasing the overall drying area.

Outcome

After several months of monitoring, walls treated with Warmset heating technology displayed:

• Noticeable reduction in surface dampness and mould formation,
• Improved wall stability and appearance,
• A measurable drying gradient visible on thermal scans, and
• Reduced maintenance needs compared with untreated walls.

The solution proved effective in the demanding Venetian environment, operating quietly and efficiently, without altering the building’s heritage character.

Relevance for Australia

While Venice faces saline water and Australia faces winter condensation, the underlying physics are identical: when a surface remains warmer than the dew point, it stays dry.

Australian homes (especially in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales) are increasingly affected by mould and damp due to tighter construction and cold winter surfaces. Warmset’s proven Italian technology can be adapted to local conditions:

• as underfloor heating for comfort and condensation management, or
• as low-level wall heating in damp-prone rooms and heritage buildings.

When integrated with proper ventilation, insulation, and drainage, Warmset becomes a powerful ally in preventing moisture and maintaining healthier, longer-lasting homes.

Key Project Facts

• Location: Venice, Italy
• Challenge: Persistent rising damp and wall mould
• Technology: Warmset far-infrared (FIR) radiant heating
• Temperature: Approx. 15 °C constant surface temperature
• Energy use: ~10 W per linear metre
• Result: Dry, stable, and visually restored walls