External wall leakage is one of the problems that most troubles homeowners due to their serious distortion of the aesthetic view of the house. Water damage can be a serious issue for homeowners and can cause great damage.
Leaks from external walls can occur when the concrete develops cracks, gaps, and holes that can all lead to water leakage. A slight movement can cause small wall cracks in the house. Rainwater will find a way into the wall if there are any flaws. Wall damage due to moisture, will highly degrade internal structural timber.
Causes of wall leakage
Exterior wall cracks can happen due to poor construction or design of the property A poorly designed wall will crack under too much weight. Similarly, interior, flawed, faulty, or incompatible building material will fail to perform and give way to cracks. Cracks are mainly due to expansion action in the brick masonry or under the foundation. Cracks occur when the concrete was highly exposed to temperature changes for long periods. Rainwater and moisture are factors in wall damage when water penetrates into the crack line and developed deterioration on the concrete.
Construction movement in the proximity of the house, vibration from the machinery, excessive compaction, and blasting can cause the wall to crack in the house. Even renovation work nearby, hacking, and drilling will affect the wall, and cracks will expand and develop from small gaps to the bigger crack line.
Exterior wall cracks usually start at windows, doorways, and corners of the house, kitchen, and bathroom where there is possible exposure to water. Cracks appear on the rooftop of the building due to the leakage of rainwater from the insulation layers on the roof of the building due to defects.
Walls are affected by temperature and moisture changes. Materials can suffer from initial shrinkage and expansion/contraction. This movement gives rise to the expansion of cracks in masonry walls. Climate change leads to variations in humidity and temperature. This change causes the contraction and expansion of building elements that leads to cracks in the walls. Extreme weather changes, such as drought and floods cause the significant contraction and expansion of soil. Similarly, a change in the water level under the building changes the moisture content also.
Expansion cracks allow water into the cavity in brick build houses and cause deterioration of the wall ties. Water damage slowly decomposes the building element to collapse and results in wall cracks. Water damage can happen due to blocked gutters, water leaks, drainage issues, poor slopes, and floods. A water leak or water accumulation under the floor can rot footing or soil causing the building movement. It can wash away the soil directly under the foundation.
It is crucial to avoid water damage because once water or moisture makes its way into the wall it can lead to several defects.
Signs of wall leakage
1. Cracks on walls/ceiling
Climate change leads to variations in humidity and temperature causing the contraction and expansion of building elements will lead to cracks in the walls. Although water damage does not always cause a wall crack, it is a problem on its own as water cause cracks and other issues. Water will slowly flow in through the crack line and soften the wall and make it more susceptible to tears and it swells and warps in time.
2. Peeling/bubbling wall
Peeling and bubbling walls are caused due to the rise of dampness through the wall. The reason for the dampness is either because of the moisture or water coming through and trapped in the painted wall and absorbed into the wall cavity. The rise of moisture through the wall is caused due to inadequate ventilation or bad water seepage.
This is a common and severe problem that occurs because of water clogging behind the pools and paint. It stretches the paint across the surface. This results in the appearance of small bubbles and if the water continues flowing through the surface, it can lead to bigger surface water damage.
3. Discolouration/yellowish stains
A damaged wall tends to discolor over time. The discolored area shows soft spots. This can happen on ceilings, walls, or even on drywalls. Water leaks through the ceiling or drywall will create a brownish/yellowish stain.
4. Mildew and mold wall
The growth of mold brings health risks to your family member’s health, especially to children and the elderly. They will develop some serious allergies such as skin irritation, eyes infection, breathing respiratory issues, long term allergies such as asthmatic conditions.
Exterior wall damage Repair
There are a variety of ways to patch up wall leaks. The traditional way is to fix a crack with the application of caulk. This caulk is a filler or grout to the crack. Another option is to fill the void with a strong sealant. These are only temporary fixes and not effective ways to stop the water seepage issue. It will deteriorate soon again and need replacement often. The sunlight, even in-direct sunlight seems to ruin its effectiveness and decrease its strength. After years of wear and tear from being exposed to a variety of climates, it is normal to wear down again.
Water damage from the external wall can be a simple problem with a simple solution. It is important to find a solution that is long-lasting and will prevent cracks from happening again.
SWC Construction, highly recommends the most effective solutions for homeowners. One of the best options is waterproofing through PU Injection grouting.
PU Injection grouting is the best waterproofing method. It is a long-term solution using the latest technology and materials. It is an affordable and cost-effective waterproofing solution.
PU grouting is a waterproofing technique that injects Polyurethane, a fluid resin, to prevent water leakage through cracks or gaps in the concrete of the building structure. Polyurethane mixture is inserted into the cracks of a structure, the mixture will react and expand and get toughen when it is cured, it adds rigidity and strength to the installation.
PU grouting is an ideal solution for water leakage issues, it is less labor-intensive, an environmentally safe method, and most importantly, it is effective to stop water leaks. It has a short curing time and no hacking is required on the walls and floors, therefore it will not be only hassle-free, but it avoids extensive noise to the neighbours. This entire work process can be as short as complete within a day, while hacking is noisy, dusty, and excessive extent. Knowing and finding the right solution is important. Let’s find out the detailed explanation of PU Injection grouting.
After knowing so much, without further ado, engage a reliable contractor to ease your problem in waterproofing your external wall leakage.
SWC Construction is using PU Injection Grouting to stop wall leakage in your house and its long-term benefits. Contact us now, to find out our best waterproofing solution for all industrial, commercial, and residential owners.