Common Causes of Leaks in Buildings

When constructing a building or a house, one of your priorities is surely the structural integrity of the whole thing. Waterproofing is just one aspect of it, but a very important aspect nonetheless. In fact, the damages caused by the improper implementation of waterproofing leads to billions of dollars in damage each year.

So, what can you do to ensure that it doesn’t happen to you? For a start, make sure that you only use reliable contractors and top quality materials. However, if you want to be on the safe side, hire building envelope inspectors to monitor the work being done on your construction. Here are some of the most common causes of leaks in buildings.

Poorly Implemented Balconies

Having a balcony is a perk which very few people would skip out on, especially if the view from the balcony promises to be impressive. However, no matter how awesome they promise to be, the sad reality is that balconies are often poorly constructed and cause a lot of leaks, compromising the whole building, not just the balcony itself.

A silicone gun and a would-be construction expert simply aren’t going to cut it if you are serious about your safety and ensuring your investment lasts for a long time. Chances are that the first ones affected by this problem are going to be people below you, but if not sanctioned as soon as possible, it will develop into a major problem.

Roof Issues

There are several things that can go wrong on a roof of the building, and one of the most prevalent is a misalignment of flashings. Flashings are the metal parts which connect all the joints of the roof. More complex roofs will have more need for flashings, and more chances of something going wrong.

A particular problem with leaky roofs is that you may not be aware of it for a long time, especially if the leak is small. It can continue seeping through and causing tiny amounts of damage to the structure of the roof and the walls. That’s why roofing experts should be called in when constructing a roof.

Windows and Doors

The places which are the most exposed to the elements are your windows and doors. No matter which material you use for your door, there is a chance that it will leak if not installed properly, but the most easily affected material is wood, which is why most people tend to go for other options nowadays.

Each building tends to have a side which is more exposed to the elements, depending on the prevalent winds and other weather patterns. Make sure to pay extra attention to those parts of the building during construction, as well as when the building is completed and ready to use.

The External Cladding

Some buildings use external cladding in order to protect the building itself from the worst of the weather. Typically, this outside cladding is made of aluminum or some other metal. It tends to provide good coverage, but the seals between the plates need to be just as solid as the plating itself.

Otherwise, not only is the cladding ineffective, it is counterproductive, letting water seep through and trapping it between itself and the building. This can cause a lot of moisture and mold problems which will likely persist until the source problem is resolved.

Construction companies tend to be focused on completing the building as soon as possible, which can sometimes compromise the safety aspect of it. That’s why quality control and quality assurance companies like Xperagroup offer a variety of consulting and inspection services, including building envelope waterproofing inspections.