When water moves from one place to another through porous materials or tiny spaces, the term “seepage” is used. It is a problem that affects all structures and is frequently brought on by pipe bursts, prolonged exposure to pools of water, or heavy downpours. Water can significantly threaten building occupants if it is not identified or addressed.
Sadly, owners must understand why water seepage occurs in their houses and structures. We’ve covered the typical circumstances that cause water seepage in this article to draw attention to the potential contributing variables.
1. Plumbing Leaks
Broken water pipes, drainage pipes, or sanitary fittings frequently bring on water seepage. As pipes’ components deteriorate and corrode over time, faults eventually appear. Additionally, the foundation of your building is constantly shifting naturally due to the forces of the earth. The joints of the pipe eventually become loose and split as a result of this movement. By blocking pipes, building occupants further exacerbate the problem. Pipes clog up with foreign objects from the disposal of solid household items. When water is being drained, this, in turn, raises the pressure, which damages the pipe by producing wear and tear.
Homeowners may carry out simple repairs when there are obvious pipe leaks. However, if a pipe leak is not immediately apparent, building owners should hire certified water leakage specialists to identify the leak’s origin and the pipe issue.
2. Faulty Pipes in Nearby Apartments
The faulty pipe is frequently hidden behind fake walls or even inside the premises of an adjacent flat. It should be noted that the wrong lines do not necessarily need to be in the vicinity of the water leaks. Due to natural forces like gravity and wind, which follow the path of least resistance, water can travel great distances. As a result, locating the damaged pipe may be more complex than fixing it.
The scenario becomes more complicated when leaking is discovered in an upper or nearby flat. In addition to getting the apartment owner to cooperate, waterproofing specialists will need to ensure that water hasn’t accumulated in any other obscure areas of the building. This leads to a drawn-out and tiresome procedure of checks.
3. Worn-out Bathroom Seals & Floor Tiles
Given the number of pipes and water-using gadgets found in bathrooms, water seepage is a common problem. Water leaks, however, do not only come from lines. Instead, the cause could be the tiled floor and walls. Since bathroom surfaces are frequently in contact with water, it should not be surprising that, with time, water leaks from them as well.
The bottom of bathroom walls, which are the areas most exposed to water, are typically where bathroom water seepage occurs. The more moisture penetrates through the leak, the longer it is left unattended, and the water will continue to flow as previously. So how can one stop or reduce bathroom water seepage?
4. The Maintenance of Grout Holds the Key to the Solution
To hold tiles in place, grout, technically cement, is applied between them. It becomes a relatively porous part of your bathroom floor. The grout sealing is what makes the floor watertight and stops leaks.
However, with time, the grout will break as dirt gets inside and traps moisture. As a result, there is a greater water penetration rate, which erodes the grout sealing. Replace cracked or outdated grout regularly to avoid this from happening.
Water Seepages On The Roof & Balcony
In addition to restrooms, balconies and roofs are vulnerable to water seepages because of their exposed locations. In particular, they see a lot of wind and rain throughout the year and risk having stagnant water pools grow on them. Similar to grout leaks in bathrooms, where debris impacts their surfaces, damage may result in fissures that make water infiltration easier.
Proper water drainage pathways must be created to decrease the incidence of water leaks from balconies and roofs. This comprises specified drainage areas, calculated slopes, and the avoidance of blocking streams. These techniques guarantee that water will move along the intended course and leave your house as soon as possible.
Water Seepage Telltales
Signs of water seepage will likely appear before significant structural problems unless there is a significant leak. These signs include wall discolouration, paint flaking, musty odours, mould or mildew signs, and water puddles poking through surfaces.
Alternatively, if you do not notice any of these signs yet cannot explain a continuous rise in your water utility costs, you may still be experiencing water leaks. Similar to sponges, thick drywall is good at absorbing water. As a result, if your building has these walls, you might not notice any indicators of water leaks other than higher utility bills.
You must hire a waterproofing specialist as soon as you see any of these typical indicators.
Repercussions of Water Leakage
If left unchecked, water may be a destructive force inside your building. It can travel far from the entry site to the point of collecting, where accumulation creates a wet atmosphere. Mould growth is predictable in such a setting and will eventually compromise the building’s structural integrity. As a result, a realistic potential of the walls and ceiling collapsing exists, endangering the residents, users, and visitors of the area.
Water seepage risk necessitates the prompt involvement of qualified water leakage specialists.
Welcome to AlphaBuilders
With several years of experience in waterproofing and decorating application services, AlphaBuilders is a reputable water leakage Singapore firm. We are proud of our team of skilled experts that pay great attention to the specifics of every project and provide the best solutions for our clients. Contact us if you have any further enquiries.