A past survey conducted by the BCA that involved approximately a total of 10,000 personal residential units has concluded that water seepage via external walls has been determined to be one of the most common defect confronted by means of homeowners. The survey findings also confirmed that 90% of these seepage problem cases were caused by cracks in the wall. Water seepage problems in structures result by and large due to inadequate building design, inferior materials, poor workmanship and deterioration of building materials, and it can occur as early as the first 5 years upon construction completion.
Water seepage problems/ leaks in multi story homes may cause negative effects that can be harmful to homeowners in terms of health and hygiene. Moisture within the homes may have unfavorable effects on both structurally and as well as the health of the occupants. Findings showed that the failure of sanitary fittings, insufficient maintenance of sewer piping system and defects to waterproofing membrane in moist areas can cause dampness and seepage in homes and thus, could result in increase of toxic moulds that might cause serious health problems such as respiratory symptoms for the occupants.
Having said that, people often fail to notice such problems and do not realize the severity of it. It is important to look out for signs that may signify possible water leakages and attend to it immediately. Seepage problems/ leaks can occur at different places. In this article we will look at the various type of water seepages.
Wet Areas
The main wet areas at home are bathrooms. As a homeowner, ceiling leakage from bathrooms can be quite a nightmare and the last thing you want to deal with. Water seepage on the ceiling will cause dampness patches and if this goes unattended, water might start to drip steadily. The main reasons of water seepage problems in bathrooms could potentially be caused by the failure of its waterproofing membrane. Installations that are in the wet areas (E.g. Bathrooms) should be installed in a sense that if anything goes faulty, it can be easily accessed to get the problem detected and fixed.
As maintenance costs of a home, building, and facilities increases, the importance of awareness of the root causes of failures is being emphasized. Even if the home or building is relatively new, it doesn’t mean that water seepage will not occur. Water seepage problem may occur due to incorrect workmanship and the use of inferior materials. Therefore, it is very important to engage professionals who are experienced in this field to avoid such problems from occurring.
Roof Leaks
The harsh effects of weather in Singapore make the roofs really vulnerable and cause them to deteriorate really quickly. How can we tell that our roofs are suffering from leaks? It is not too difficult to identify the symptoms. Symptoms such as water drippings, damp patches on ceiling, peeling off of paint or rust stains on the ceilings are indications of possible damaged waterproofing. These leaks could not only cause damages to the structures and the appliances at home but may also pose a great risk of injury. In order to get this problem fixed, most of the homeowners would simply purchase some paint and have their ceilings “cosmetically” repaired, without addressing the source of the leaks. When this is prolonged, corrosion may occur and result in concrete spalling, which can potentially turn into a offsite collapse.
Majority of these water seepage problems cases and moisture related defects in homes and buildings are caused by none other than rainfall. Such problems may cause homeowners stress and as well as monetary costs. Therefore, it is very important for home buyers to make sure that the choice of material used for the roof is critical to avoid failures of the waterproofing membrane. There are various methods to apply when it comes to fixing water leakage problems. Ultimately, it is important to consult waterproofing contractors who are experienced in the field to seek their expertise.