Water ingress is the term used to describe the permeation of water into the structure of a building. Water ingress can range in severity from a small leak to a wide scale permeation which causes significant damage to the building's structure or to internal elements. It can cause both aesthetic, immediately observable defects such as
Waterproofing is any protective treatment of a home to prevent water or moisture getting into it. It is also the protective treatment of wet areas of a home (such as a shower) to stop the unwanted escape of water from those areas. The protective treatment used is solid membranes or membranes applied by brush, roller or any
Torch-on membranes are a form of bitumen-based waterproof coating used on flat roofing structures. Intense heat is applied to the membranes, causing the bitumen to melt and adhere tightly to the surface, which creates a waterproof seal.
Structural repair is the general term used to describe work that seeks to repair the structure of a building. It involves correcting structural issues to bring the building into compliance with the relevant requirements.
Roll-on membranes are a class of surface coating used exclusively on flat surfaces. Roll-on membranes are used primarily for waterproofing, but specialised products also provide chemical and non-slip resistance.
Ponding is an unofficial but commonly used term which describes the collection of water in areas other than dedicated water outlets, resulting in unwanted puddles. These puddles become problematic as they can cause flooding, leaking or water ingress.
Lintels are horizontal beams used above a window or door to support the weight of a wall.
Latent defects are those which are not observable on the façade of the structure and can only be discovered by deeper investigation. A common example of a latent defect is rusted steel reinforcements which have not yet begun to affect the exterior of the building.
Concrete Cancer is one of the most prevalent structural issues, which occurs when the steel reinforcement inside a concrete slab is exposed to water and begins to rust. As the steel rusts, it begins to expand, causing cracks and breakages in the concrete. These cracks let in even more water, causing the problem to worsen
Carbon Fibre Stripping is the technique of applying carbon fibre strips to concrete slabs in order to increase structural strength. This allows the slab to bear more weight and in some situations can also be used as an alternative to replacing the slab.