How To Detect Water Leaks In Concrete Walls

Slab leaks create water build ups underneath your concrete foundation.

How to detect water leaks in concrete walls.

Moisture is one of the most difficult issues to detect in a building the signs are subtle and easy to miss until water starts dripping from the ceiling. Depending on the materials used to set the tile this can lead to tile falling off the wall severe rotting of the wall framing and damage to the subfloor joists or ceiling below. Pipe leaks within concrete i e slab leaks are identifiable with a thermal imaging camera but due to a variety of influential factors they aren t always identifiable unless you know what to look for and have the right tools. However some walls gush water through openings in the concrete.

Not only can water threaten foundational integrity but it can also create an environment where molds can grow in the porous concrete surface. Concrete walls sometimes only leak periodically such as after a hard rain or during snow melts. Water leaks are often because of pinholes in your plumbing system or small failures in caulking or other exterior materials. Thermography training can help with identification as well as getting.

If you have carpeted floors search for areas that look darker or are unexpectedly damp. Hot water pipe leaks shows as a warm area. Many homes today in various parts of the country are built with concrete and in floor radiant heating in concrete slabs and homes dating back to the 1950s as. Moisture in basements or other areas where concrete walls are present can cause extensive damage.

Tile leaks occur when water seeps through deteriorating grout or caulk and gets into the wall behind the tile figure a. How to seal a leaking concrete wall. If you have wood panel floors watch out for spots where the wood starts to warp. You can detect leaks in walls by looking for key signs of water damage including peeling paint or wallpaper or patches of discoloration.

Flooding water wicking up a wall into the insulation and up wall studs. Water takes the easiest path down to the ground so it will often travel along the framing in the walls. Long term leaks can cause structural damage within your walls and can also lead to serious mold problems in the walls. If you have a water leak in your concrete wall you need to repair it as quickly as possible.

While some leaks are totally silent for instance if water is traveling along a wall stud other leaks can sometimes be heard giving you a clue as to the leak s location.