Our team of experts provides inspection and rectification services across the building remediation, inclusive of waterproofing & water damage services. What many people fail to realize is that structural issues frequently arise as a result of water ingress and waterproofing failure?
While waterproofing issues are almost to be probable in older buildings, we are undertaking an increasing amount of work in newer buildings where during the early building process the builders and/or their contractors have overlooked specific structural requirements that have caused ongoing issues. We are seeing issues with
Drainage and water runoff leading to pending as well as permanent immersion which can lead to water ingress through points of failure
Bad flashing protocols leading to water ingress
Badly treated re-bars leading to rusting & cracking
Plantabox failure
Structural failure
How To Identify Waterproofing Issues
To the untrained eye, an apparently small issue could be masking a larger issue. This means that while following the list can be an indication of a larger issue, it isn’t always the case. What we can recommend is taking the time to explore, or getting someone to come look for you.
Warnings signs to look out for include:
Blistering or peeling paint
Bubbles in paint that retain water
Mould, mildew, and vegetative growth
Rust stains on the concrete façade
Efflorescence (the white drip stains that can be seen on the edge of balconies & stairs)
Cracked walls
Internal and rising damp
Areas to Monitor for Waterproofing Issues
Waterproofing failure can happen almost anywhere in a building – mainly if construction processes were skipped or rushed. However, key areas to always have your building manager or strata committee check include the following.
#1: Roofs / Top Floor
If you are in an apartment or commercial building, flat roof surfaces bear the brunt of the bad weather. When you next have significant rainfall, access the roof to look at areas where the water is ponding, see if there are blocked drains, and or recognize areas where you can see the water getting into spots it shouldn’t.
It is also worthwhile looking at the internal areas below to see if there is a leakage issue through ceiling spaces.
#2: Drains, Plumbing & Irrigation
Faulty plumbing for example leaky drains, water pipes, or irrigation can be difficult to spot, which is why regular checks require to be made. Look for blockages, drips, or leaks, no matter how small, and rectify the issue immediately.
#3: Window and Door Seals
Windows and doors have seals that are designed to keep water out, and as such, need to be frequently checked to make sure they remain impervious to the elements, day in and day out.
We recommend checking to ensure the seals are not cracked. If you find they are damaged in some way prompt attention is important to make sure there are no secondary issues that become apparent.
At the end of the day, your building needs regular notice. A regular check of the building to make sure integrity is a good way to make sure you catch any waterproofing issues early. Doing so can finish up saving you thousands of dollars – both in terms of damage & repair costs.
At Mahi Innovation, we provide the most effective as well as qualitative waterproofing services for terraces, basements, wet areas, water retaining bodies, etc. catering to every kind of residential, commercial, and industrial building.If you have any concerns or want some suggestions on what to do. Get in touch with us today.
