Although there is an increasing sight of “open-concept” designs in houses across Singapore, there are bound to be some partition walls built within a house to divide one’s living space. A simple example would be the walls separating the bathroom and bedroom.
In this article, we will walk you through the basics of partition walls, the common tell-tale signs of partition wall leakages as well as the recommended remedies.
What is a partition wall?
Before we can delve into partition wall leakages and their recommended waterproofing remedies, we need to first understand the basics of a partition wall. A house is not made up of just a floor slab, four surrounding walls, and a roof over it. The living space within is often specifically designed and divided to achieve different purposes.
A partition wall is commonly defined as a non-loading wall that is constructed to serve its main purpose of separating or dividing space. With this being said, it does not support nor transfer any weight or load, unlike structural or bearing walls, which transfer the weight of the roof and upper floors to the foundation.
There are various types of partition walls depending on the building materials, design requirements, etc. Some common types of partition walls constructed within a house in Singapore include:
- Brick walls
- Concrete walls
- Drywall or gypsum walls with rock-wool insulation
- Glass partition walls
Now that you have a basic understanding of partition walls, let us move on to identifying the tell-tale signs of partition wall leakages.
Tell-tale signs of wall leakages
Here are some of the common tell-tale signs to help you ascertain if there is water leakage into the wall:
1. Mould
If you noticed the presence of mould on the wall, especially the walls that are not in contact with water, this indicates a water leakage problem. They usually appear as clumps of dark spots on walls. It is important to keep a lookout at wall corners as mould thrives in dark and moist places.
2. Cracked, peeled or bubbled paint
When the paint is applied to walls with quality workmanship, it should not come off on its own in the absence of moisture or water. However, if the paint coat starts to bubble, peel or crack, this would mean that water or moisture has entered between the wall and the paint coat.
3. Water stains or spots
If you notice brownish or dark stains appearing on the wall surface, especially around the areas that are bubbling or peeling, this is a potential sign of water leakage. These stains come in different shapes, sizes, and colours (usually brownish or yellowish). Do touch the surface and feel if it is damp. You should also take a closer look to see if there are droplets of water forming on the wall surface where the cracked or bubbled areas are.
After you have identified these tell-tale signs, the next step we often advise homeowners would be to double-check if there are any pipes running through these partition walls. If there is, do make sure that it is not a pipe defect that might be contributing to the leak. More often than not, homeowners would realise that it is ultimately a plumbing defect and not a waterproofing failure. If you are unsure, reach out to a waterproofing specialist or plumber to do a thorough site inspection.
Recommended Remedies
Here are some solutions to waterproofing the various types of partition walls in a house:
1. PU injection grouting
Polyurethane injection grouting, also known as PU injection grouting, is a waterproofing technique that injects polyurethane, a fluid resin, to prevent water leakage through cracks or gaps. When in contact with water or moisture, this fluid resin will react and expand up to 10 times its original volume to fill up the existing gaps until there is no more space to stop water from flowing through structural joints and crack lines. This non-invasive and cost-effective technique is often implemented to repair cracks and stop water leakage from walls.
PU injection grouting offers significant advantages, as it is easy to apply and very durable. When carried out with quality workmanship, PU injection grouting can last from 3 to 5 years. Due to its low viscosity and various other properties, it is commonly used to fill cracks in defective brick or concrete partition walls.
2. Waterproofing Membrane
A waterproofing membrane is a thin layer of water-tight material that is applied onto the wall water leakage areas to stop water ingress. There are many different types of waterproofing membranes and each has varying functions. Some types include cementitious membrane, clear penetrative waterproofing treatment and polyurethane waterproofing membrane. The most commonly used product in the market would be the cementitious waterproofing membrane which adheres to concrete and masonry surfaces.
It offers significant advantages as it is strong, flexible, tear-resistant and elastic. It is commonly used to waterproof walls, achieving strong non-corrosive bonding to concrete and masonry surfaces.
3. Waterproofing Sealants
A glass partition is a type of partition wall used to separate the kitchen from the dining space or the shower area from the toilet. At times when homeowners face water seepage after washing the kitchen floors or after showering, applying waterproofing sealant along the joints would be the recommended remedy to stop water ingress. The waterproofing sealant is a substance used to form a waterproof seal that helps to keep water out and prevent issues such as flooding and mould growth.
Identify and rectify
Waterproofing a partition wall is as important as waterproofing a structural wall. Waterproofing protects walls from moisture and water infiltrations, which will prevent creating a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and reduce potential health risks to occupants in the long run. Now that you have gained some knowledge about partition walls, take a walk and a closer look at your home today. Are you able to identify any partition walls or existing leakages?
SWC Construction is a Building and Construction Authority (BCA)-certified and approved BCA waterproofing contractor with more than 20 years of experience in the waterproofing industry. We are a team of waterproofing specialists who are dedicated to providing quality workmanship to rectify all waterproofing problems and reduce inconvenience to you – our valued homeowners.