How to identify and resolve leaks in your home

First of all, let’s identify what infiltration exactly is. When water or moisture seeps through the construction materials of walls, ceilings and floors from various sources, be they interior or exterior, then you have an infiltration problem.

These problems can be caused by a number of factors, such as errors in the design phase, problems during building work, use of inappropriate materials and application techniques or, indeed, lack of maintenance.

The three most common causes of infiltration in homes are:

• Leaking appliances and plumbing
• Water leaking in from outside
• Rising damp as a result of poor insulation between the floor and the ground beneath

What are the signs?

There are several signs to look out for of a house needing repairs, and as infiltrations can affect any part of the house, no room should be ignored. That said, interior areas such as bathrooms are particularly susceptible to the tell-tale appearance of stains, especially during the winter months when the atmosphere is damper.

The most obvious signs of infiltration problems which can spoil the appearance and undermine the safety of the house are cracks, stains and damage to building materials. T The most obvious signs of infiltration problems which can spoil the appearance and undermine the safety of the house are cracks, stains and damage to building materials.This may present as mould and mildew on the walls or, in extreme cases, even deterioration of the structure and finishings.

To quickly pinpoint the problem, there may be further signs to look out for:

• Peeling or blistering paint
• Unusual smells
• Flooring coming unstuck
• Electrical problems
• Stains near the skirting boards – a clear sign of rising damp

Multiple problems in one

There may be only one source of the leak, but this can lead to a variety of other complications:

Health problems – infiltrations cause mould, which, in turn can give rise to allergic respiratory diseases
The structure of the house itself may become fragile and damaged
The contents of the house may be seriously damaged by damp and water leaks
Problems for the neighbours – your infiltrations can end up affecting other people’s houses (and vice versa)
Financial problems – solving the issue can be complicated, time-consuming and expensive

What’s the solution? Just the one!

The most commonly applied fixes in these cases are galvanized or zinc-coated sheets, sealants and other short-term solutions. But the repeated action of wind and rain battering against the components of the repair can cause major issues, due to the constant movement and thermal expansion of the parts.

So, here’s the only definitive, fast-acting, practical do-it-yourself solution: Water Stopper!