Introduction

A poorly sealed window or a crack in the roof might not seem like a big issue, but if left unaddressed, it can allow water to seep in, leading to significant problems over time. 

This is an example of water ingress, or penetrating damp, which occurs when water enters a building or structure where it shouldn’t. It is caused by factors like cracks, poor construction, or extreme weather.

Water ingress weakens the building’s foundation, compromising its overall stability. For instance, persistent water infiltration in a basement can lead to the erosion of the walls and foundation.

Beyond structural damage, the damp environment it creates becomes a breeding ground for mould and mildew. This can lead to serious health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory issues like allergies and asthma. 

Additionally, it can also cause electrical hazards, increase your repair costs, and reduce the safety and value of your property.

With the help of this article, we’ll explore and understand what water ingress is, its causes, and the impacts it can have in detail.

Signs Of Water Ingress

Damp Patches

Wet spots appear on walls or ceilings due to the water entering walls and ceilings. They feel cold and clammy to the touch. Often, there are signs of seepage from an outside source or a plumbing issue within the structure.

Peeling Paint

Peeling paint happens when water gets into walls or ceilings. In most cases, this is more prevalent in areas of inner walls where moisture is often trapped. This causes the paint to bubble, crack, and fall off. This happens in poorly ventilated areas or areas subject to continuous water exposure.

Musty Odour

Specific patches of the area smell damp and will not let you forget that they might have something to do with water. Typically, such foul odours are caused by mould and mildew that thrive under moist conditions.

Visible Mould Growth

Such mould would be the green, black, or brown spots that appear all over walls, ceilings, or furniture. It requires urgent attention to avert health hazards and further spread.

Cracks Or Stains

Cracks occur when water seeps into walls, floors, or ceilings, displaying signs of infiltration into the structure by water. For example, yellow stains may appear on walls in a bathroom with a leaking pipe. 

These cracks weaken the structure over time and cause it to split. Stains appear when water brings dirt or minerals with it and leaves marks as it dries.

Major Causes Of Water Ingress

Rising Damp

Groundwater rises through porous materials such as bricks and mortar. It is because of a failure of the damp proofing. Evidence of this includes wet patches at the base of walls.

Plumbing And Drainage Failures

Leakage of drainage systems allows water to sneak into walls, floors, or ceilings. It goes undetected until there is severe visible damage.

Damaged Roof

Missing or broken shingles and cracked tiles allow rainwater to enter. This leads to pooling in ceilings or walls.

Rough Weather Condition

Heavy rain and snow or storms can break through weak points within a structure. This leads to damage to roofs, sides, or drainage systems.

Poorly Constructed Buildings

In most cases, construction materials and practices could be improved with sufficient sealing. This creates a weakness through which water enters.

Condensation

The warm air condenses on cooler surfaces, leading to water droplets. This results in dampness and mould, particularly in poorly ventilated places.

Through Brickwork

Water ingress through brickwork happens when rainwater or moisture penetrates gaps, cracks, or porous bricks due to poor sealing or damaged mortar. Over time, this can lead to dampness and structural issues.

Impacts Of Water Ingress

Structural Damage

Water weakens the building materials of concrete, wood, and steel structures. Eventually, this will lead to erosion, damp spots, and mold, and cracks will appear on the walls and ceilings. 

The wooden beams will deteriorate, and metal components will rust. Such long times of exposure damage the structure’s foundation. This will increase the risk of partial and complete collapse.

Mould And Mildew Growth

Extended moisture produces an environment of excellent growth for mould and mildew. These fungi grow rapidly over the surfaces of walls, ceilings, and furniture. 

This results in ugly stains and muskiness. Beyond this, it is also known that they release spores. This, combined with seeing, makes the indoor air quality unhealthy.

Health Hazards

Moulds and mildew cause allergies and irritants when released into the atmosphere. This can lead to respiratory obstruction, particularly in people with asthma and allergy problems.

The damp conditions caused by water ingress also promote the growth of bacteria. This increases the risk of infections and other health concerns.

Electrical Hazards

When combined, water and electricity form a deadly cocktail. Water ingress at or around any electric appliance causes short circuits and electrical faults. 

Sometimes, it can even cause fire. It also poses a risk of electrocution to occupants, making it a critical safety concern.

Water Ingress Above Ground

It often occurs in areas exposed to weather, like roofs, windows, and doors. All roofs are exposed to damage from heavy rains, snow, or even winds.

For instance, a roof with damaged or displaced tiles during a storm can allow water to seep through and into the interior.

Under these conditions, cracks develop, or tiles may dislocate, thus allowing water entry. Exterior walls, particularly those made of porous materials or with cracks, can also let water into the building. 
An example of this is a brick wall with small hairline cracks that allow rainwater to infiltrate, leading to damp patches inside the building.

Prevention

1. Regular Roof Check And Repair

Check the roof regularly for lost tiles, cracks, or anything else. Repair it immediately to prevent any leak.

2. Cavity Seal

All joints and penetrations in window frames should have waterproof sealants. It is used to close the gaps, hence preventing leaking water during rain.

3. Apply Water-Resistant Coatings

Specialized paints or coatings can be used to guard the outside walls. Thus keeping them dry in places susceptible to heavy rain.

Water Ingress Below Ground

It often occurs in basements, underground parking places, and building foundations. These areas are more prone to seepage due to contact with soil and groundwater.

These areas are often exposed to hydrostatic pressure, the force exerted by water in the surrounding soil, which becomes significant in places with high water tables, frequent flooding, or overly saturated ground. 

For example, a basement in a home that is built in a high-water table area may experience constant moisture seepage through the walls. 

Structural problems like cracks in walls or foundations, poor drainage systems, clogged drainpipes, or faulty sump pumps can worsen the situation, leading to water pooling around the foundation.

Municipal water treatment systems aim to save the environment by removing hazardous contaminants. This process removes biodegradable organics, nitrogen, and phosphorus from wastewater. 

The wastewater can harm the environment, aquatic life, and human health with these impurities.

So, treating municipal water is essential before discharging it to other water bodies or environments.

Prevention

Install Effective Drainage Systems

Drain away all possible water using various drainage systems. Each basement has better perimeter drains and graded landscaping.

Use Waterproofing Membranes (Type C systems).

Apply waterproof membranes to the foundation walls. This creates a barrier through which water has to pass to enter the basement.

Apply Epoxy Coatings Or Sealants

Coat floors and walls with epoxy or similar sealants. This blocks water and improves durability.

These sealants create a strong barrier that prevents water from seeping in, making them perfect for sealing leaks and keeping moisture out of materials like concrete, metal, and wood.

Difference Between Water Ingress and Water Egress

How To Prevent Water Ingress With Flotaa

Flotaa’s Duino Smart Flow Meter, equipped with its advanced features, can help address water ingress issues in several ways.

With its ultrasonic technology, the Duino smart flow meter spots unusual water flow, helping detect the issue early. Flotaa automatic alarm system provides real-time alerts in case of sudden water flow or leaks. This can notify users immediately, enabling quicker responses to water ingress incidents.

Additionally, its water quality monitoring feature can help identify if contaminated water is seeping into unwanted areas. Smart flow meter measures and controls water flow. It avoids extra water that may lead to leaks. Since they prevent overflow, they protect walls and floors from dampness and damage. Hence, it offers a reliable solution for both homes and commercial areas.

Conclusion

Detecting and preventing water ingress early is important. It helps avoid big repair costs and health problems. 

Small spots or leaks might not seem like a big deal, but they could turn into a major problem. That’s why it’s important to carry out timely repairs. Regularly check to make sure there’s no leakage, and if you find any, fix it immediately. 

You can also use water leakage detectors, which help detect even small moisture changes. These can alert you to problems early on, allowing you to prevent bigger damage.

In extreme cases, don’t hesitate to seek advice from professionals or experts. 

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