Commonly, penetrating damp occurs on external walls where the external ground levels are higher than the internal floors or there is an incorrect fall away from the building. The consequence is that the rainwater cannot efficiently run away from the walls, causing dampness to seep through.
The more it rains, the more water permeates brickwork. Damp patches on interior walls increase in size during periods of heavy rain. The best way to treat penetrating damp is to apply a water repellent treatment like Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream. This can halt further dampness and allow walls to dry out.
Water leaks often occur because of pinholes in your plumbing system or small failures in caulking or other exterior materials. Water takes the easiest path to the ground, so it will often travel along the framing in the walls.
The main signs to look for are dampness on walls, on the floor, or the ceiling, and a musty odor in the bathroom, even when not in use. Eliminate other causes and easy fixes first, and then, once you're certain it's behind the walls, do the work to pinpoint the cause and source of the shower leak.
If you suspect that you have a leak in a wall but can't pinpoint the exact location, call a local plumber or a professional home inspector to check out the leak. Once the leak is plugged, you should fix the peeling paint on the ceiling or wall.
In conclusion, water seepage through concrete walls can be a serious problem that can lead to significant damage to a building and its contents.
Causes of Water Ingress
The most common cause of water ingress is a building fault or defect. Over time building materials can deteriorate. Below-standard workmanship can also lead to water ingress.
You can detect water leaks in walls or ceilings when: there are puddles of water near a wall. there is discoloration in the wall or ceiling. there is a texture change in the wall or ceiling.
To identify water leakage in your walls, look for signs like musty odors, mold growth, new or worsening stains, peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper, buckling ceilings and floors, wet or discolored areas, the sound of dripping water or warped sheetrock.
Moisture may penetrate brickwork by diffusing through microscopic voids in the materials, or by percolating or flowing into and through hairline or more noticeable cracks in the fabric. The effectiveness of a brick wall in resisting penetration by wind-driven rain is in direct proportion to wall thickness.
Look for Discoloration
If you notice any discoloration on your walls, it indicates that some pipe might be leaking and water is seeping through. At first, it might look like the walls are sweating, with beads of moisture. Later on, it will turn into a full-fledged wet spot.
Ground microphones or listening discs are acoustic listening devices that a plumber uses to find leaks. Also, an acoustic amplifier can be used to amplify the sound of plumbing leaks that may be too quiet to hear.
At worst, water may be trickling slowly from pipe fittings within a wall and go unnoticed until it causes extensive damage. Even if the water meter test indicates that you don't currently have a leak, one could develop at any point in the future, so it's a good idea to keep an eye out for: Wall discoloration.
Like other foundations, cinder block foundations can succumb to water seepage. This is a problem that no homeowner should ignore.
As this water builds up, it exerts pressure on the foundation walls. This water will pass through the foundation walls in any way it possibly can- through cracks in the foundation walls, the basement or crawl space floor, or most often through the foundation wall floor joint.
A dripping pipe behind your walls causes moisture to build up inside them, potentially soaking your drywall and warping the structure. You'll often see signs of a hidden leak, such as: Peeling or puckered paint or wallpaper. Brown stains on your ceiling or the tops of your walls.
Your home plumbing system includes pipes that run throughout your home, from under your floors, to in the crawl spaces – and yes, that does include ceilings. Multi-level homes are especially prone to this, with pipes to upstairs fixtures needing to run through ceilings by design.
In general, plumbing lines run either down from above or up from below to supply fixtures and appliances. There are exceptions, such as multiple fixtures in close proximity on the same wall and restrictive floor plan layout. In some scenarios, the plumbing lines may be run horizontally through the wall framing.
Thermal imaging cameras
Thermal imaging can be used to detect moisture in ceilings, flat roofs, behind walls and under floors. Using thermal imaging cameras is an effective way to look at large areas quickly, and causes minimum disruption and no damage to your property.
In fact, water damage behind a brick wall is more common than you might think! There are many indications of water leaks behind brick walls, both inside and outside of a home. Inside, walls can become discolored or warped, bubbles may form, the paint may peel, and wallpaper may have ripples.
The truth is that water enters into brick walls with relative ease. In your case, with the holes in the mortar, it's quite obvious water will pour into the cavity behind the brick. Many modern brick homes and some commercial buildings are built with a brick veneer. This means the brick is just one wythe thick.
As mentioned above, water ingress is when water infiltrates a property. This term can also be used to describe the penetrating damp that can permeate some properties. Common signs that you have water ingress is the development of mould and damp patches on walls and floors.