Damp in Tenerife: why the north suffers more and how to fix it
Causes, north/south differences and treatments that actually work.
Why the north suffers more damp
North Tenerife (Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, La Laguna) receives the moisture-laden trade wind. Older stone houses without a capillary break absorb groundwater.
The south (Los Cristianos, Adeje, Costa del Silencio) gets little rain but salt-laden sea breeze: it rusts iron, attacks paints and degrades grout.
Solutions that work
Rising damp: hydrophobic resin injection (€40-80/lm). Condensation: mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (€1,500-3,000). Leaks: roof waterproofing with liquid polyurethane (€25-45/m²).
Coastal areas: silicate or acrylic-silicone paint resistant to salts; A4 stainless steel hardware (not A2).
What does NOT work
Painting with anti-damp paint without treating the cause: comes back in months. Sealing the wall base with rigid cement: water rises higher. Electric dehumidifier without ventilation: just masks it.