Hindurchgesickert

Hindurchgesickert is a German term used to describe the penetration of a liquid through a barrier or porous material, resulting in moisture appearing on the other side. It denotes an event in which liquid passes from one side to the other, often due to porosity, capillary action, or insufficient sealing. The word is the past participle of hindurchsickern (to seep through) and is usually used with the auxiliary sein in perfect tense, as in Das Wasser ist hindurchgesickert.

Etymology and usage notes: The verb combines hindurch (through) with sickern (to seep). As a particle, hindurchgesickert serves to describe a completed seepage event. In written German, it is typically found in technical, building, or scientific contexts to indicate moisture or liquid intrusion through barriers such as walls, membranes, or coatings.

Typical contexts: In construction and building physics, hindurchgesickert describes how groundwater, rainwater, or humidity penetrates through masonry, plaster, waterproofing layers, or insulation, potentially leading to dampness or mold. In textiles and packaging, it can refer to liquids leaking through fabrics or seals. In environmental and soil science, it may describe seepage of fluids through soil layers or liners.

Practical implications: Hindurchgesickert signals a failure or limitation of a barrier, with consequences for structural integrity, indoor air quality, or product performance. Addressing it often involves improving sealing, choosing more resistant materials, or enhancing drainage and moisture management.

See also: moisture ingress, dampness, waterproofing, seepage, diffusion.