Hi all, I'm keen to know if any of you can recommend a course of action. My lounge is partially below grade and just recently I have noticed some softness in the gib in just two small areas (this is gib on battens lining the concrete block wall). Presumably the original sealant on the exterior concrete block walls is starting to fail (the dwelling is approx 40 years old). From what I understand the best approach is to excavate at the external wall and apply new sealant etc. The foundation is only one meter underground I think and the wall about eight meters long. Can anyone recommend a good company for this job and any idea of what sort of cost?
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Moisture ingress in below ground living area
Collapse
X
-
Originally posted by John the builder View Postif the ingress is islotated you might be able to waterproof from the inside ? Remove some gib carefully to see what you are dealing with
Comment
-
it is likely a leaks at the joint between wall and floor(or a block joint) rather than a crack. There are treatments that can work from the inside and can resist hydro-static water pressure or work to block the pathway for water.(talk to experts like Gunac waterproofing). coating whole of inside is best. If the problem is a general one then maybe excavation of exterior is the answer but more expensive because of the excavation and reinstatement required.
Comment
-
Originally posted by John the builder View Postit is likely a leaks at the joint between wall and floor(or a block joint) rather than a crack. There are treatments that can work from the inside and can resist hydro-static water pressure or work to block the pathway for water.(talk to experts like Gunac waterproofing). coating whole of inside is best. If the problem is a general one then maybe excavation of exterior is the answer but more expensive because of the excavation and reinstatement required.
Property Talkers, please relay any experiences you have had with the "seal from the inside" method.Last edited by Merlot Mike; 15-01-2019, 02:20 PM.
Comment
-
I had water ingress coming in through the area where the ground slab of concrete meets the block wall , when their was a heavy downpour water would seep through.
I approached a number of tilers in the filed but there was only one with specialist knowledge that i ended up using. His name is Tony and he uses a special coating that is applied from the inside onto the breeze block or concrete . You can then put on tiles or in your case the Gib or ceiling battens.
It seems to have fixed the problem as we have had several heavy downpours with no sign of water coming through.
SURFACE TILING LTD
M. +6421 1634304
T. +649 533 5566
We are Surface Tiling, waterproofing and tiling specialists that service in East and central Auckland area. Our services include bathrooms, kitchens, splashbacks, patios, pool areas, fireplace surrounds and more.
Comment
-
Originally posted by John the builder View Posttilers would appreciate these prducts but this waterproofing is a specialist trade and not all products are suitable for all situations.
Comment
-
Originally posted by John the builder View Postinternal is the cheap option. If it doesnt work then you still have plan B
Comment
-
I suggest you check the cause of water entry before engaging someone with a vested interest is selling you their system. Our experience is that internal applied waterproofing is problematic in that it generally a) it does not stop water from entering the wall, only reduces the amount flowing out from it. You still end up with a cold wall because of the moisture in it and moisture in the air will settle on the cold surface ( dewpoint problem). b) some of the applications such as crystalline grouts require repeat application and while thye can reduce ( but often not eliminate ) moisture, if the wall has a crack subsequent movement can allow the backed up water to enter again. It is more than likely that because your gib is soft there will be a good fungal growth on the reverse face and often the dominant type is stachtbotrys . Be careful with handling that - MBIE has guidleines
Nutshell - identify real cause- there are NDT moisture meters that track moisture intensity paths in block, concrete and the like
Regards
Paul P
Comment
-
Each water ingress problem has its specific, so I wouldn’t comment. But consider this - water find its way and has a cooling effect. That causes even on dry walls dampness due to condensation (depend on season/temperature etc). I battled with different problems for years and only ventilation (at the out or in, or both) resolved the problems.
Comment
-
Originally posted by klauster View PostEach water ingress problem has its specific, so I wouldn’t comment. But consider this - water find its way and has a cooling effect. That causes even on dry walls dampness due to condensation (depend on season/temperature etc). I battled with different problems for years and only ventilation (at the out or in, or both) resolved the problems.
Comment
Comment