6 Reasons for Façade Leakages in Buildings
The One thing common to shelter, across all living beings staying on land is to keep water out of the space we call home or place of stay. The heat is acceptable, cold winds are bearable, but water is a complete no, no….
Why is it No? It is a question we all commonly ask.
What will happen if water moves in?
There will be dampness, leakage, seepage, peeling of paint, foul smell, fungal growth, deterioration of the structure. The list is endless…….
How is the condition in rainy season?? It gets worst.
Now let us consider a modern high rise building. The common features in the building are :
- Cantilevered Balcony: Balconies help us to connect with the surrounding. Sunlight and breath of fresh air and the gentle drizzle are always welcome. But a definite no to the lashing rains as this brings in all the leakage issues.
Cantilevered Balcony
- Large Windows: They are perfect for the breath taking view. What comes in rains is – water that leaks from the top and sides spoiling the look of our dream house.
Large Windows
3.Dead Walls: We all wonder from where this word comes from, but in modern high rises it leaks and also for space for microbial bacteria.
Dead Walls
4.Glass Façade: It has become the essential element of the modern buildings. It definitely adds to the beauty of the structure and even gives lot of light. With these positive aspect there is one negative, if there is any negligence then like large windows water moves in mysteriously from every where.
Glass Facade
5.Terraces: These spaces get maximum exposure to sun, wind and rain.
- Other features like voids, multiple terraces, Courtyards at different level.
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Large Voids
Courtyards
All the features discussed were present since time in memoriam .What has then changed?
The height at which these features are provided exposing the elements to the rigors of nature. As we rise higher and higher the structure is exposed to heat and cold throughout the year, while this was not enough the breeze along with the rains bring horizontal movement of water, lashing on to the façade. This water can penetrate through the best of the structures and once absorbed the water runs down the building envelope cascading through the floors , leaving us confused as to where did it come from.
Its Important to get your building surveyed over time to avoid Leakage issues and let the buildings sparkle.
To read our series of blogs explaining each aspect of the leakages in building façades in detail.
