What are the common waterproofing issues to know?
In relation to Singapore, several common waterproofing problems can occur mainly due to the tropical climate that consists of high humidity levels, frequent rainfalls, and high temperatures. Here are some typical problems encountered:Here are some typical problems encountered:
- Roof Leaks:
- Owing to the persistent nature of rainfall, leaks may occur at the roof part due to poor installation, or damages on the waterproofing membrane. - They include joints, flashings, and locations around penetrations such as vents as well as chimneys.
- Wall Seepage:
- If the design of the house has been done, in such a way that it has external walls, the walls are able to soak water during times of rain which then causes water seepage inside the house. - This is mostly due to the development of cracks on the walls, bad paint quality, or insufficient use of anti-condensation agents.
- Basement Water Ingress:
- Residents have also complained about water seepage in their basements pointing to the current high water table and the intense rains the country receives. - Design defects can be attributed to poor workmanship in that walls and floors of basements can for instance fail to be well waterproofed hence allowing moisture and even floods into the building.
- Balcony and Terrace Leaks:
- H2O can penetrate some balconies and terraces which are not adequately protected against water leaks, which consequently compromises the structure of the walls and harms the internal works. - Problems may originate from the gaps in flooring, failed joints sealants or inadequate slope for drainage among others.
- Bathroom and Kitchen Leaks:
- Bathrooms and kitchens get exposed to water regularly hence they are areas most likely to get affected by water leakage. - Issues that have been observed include wet floors in shower space, poor workmanship on pipes and poor sealants around wash basins and countertop.
- Foundation Problems:
- Water can gain entry into the foundations through crack and other gaps or through joints that have not been well done. - This is especially risky in the regions that experience inadequate drainage or where the water table is generally high.
- Expansion Joint Failures:
- In buildings construction, expansion joints are provided whereby in case of changes in temperature or structure movement it can accommodate the changes. - Where these joints are not well sealed they can act as entry points for water to penetrate.
- Condensation Issues:
- The general climate of Singapore is characterized by high humidity, and if this is coupled with poor ventilation, then one can expect to see signs of condensation. - This results into growth of molds and deterioriation of any building materials that are present in the building.
- Ponding Water:
- Such designs as flat roofing or other horizontal designs of roofing may encounter poor drainage hence the formation of ponds. - Long time ponding can damage the waterproofing membrane and thus cause leakage.
- Poor Installation and Maintenance:
- When installations are done wrong, lack of regular maintenance, and wrong installation of waterproofing systems the above problems are worse. - It is well understood that good workmanship and regular checkups are a must for getting the very best waterproofing solutions anytime in the future.
These issues are solved with high quality of waterproofing materials, correct putting into practice of waterproofing and carrying out timely maintenance and inspections to look for probable difficulties and solve them.