What causes leaks in buildings?

Leaks can happen in any building, regardless of age. Even if your building is newly constructed, you should monitor for leaks and address them quickly. Read on to learn common leak causes and how you can fix them in the future.

Common causes of leaks in commercial buildings

Here are the most common sources of leaks in commercial buildings:

• Water infiltration around the foundation, due to a lack of waterproofing
• Expansion joint leaks
• Cracks in the concrete or masonry that allow exterior water to penetrate the building
• Rushed construction or poor construction techniques
• Foundation shifting and settling
• Plumbing issues
• Insufficient building maintenance 

Prevention is the best way to keep leaks to a minimum. With comprehensive waterproofing, joint sealing, and proactive leak repairs, you can protect your building and your finances. 

How to detect leaks in buildings

Leak detection occurs in layers. Sometimes leaks are noticeable on the surface, such as standing water, stained concrete, ceiling marks, and other indicators. For leaks that aren’t visible on the surface, we can use thermography to examine hot or cold spots in the building. Infrared cameras can see into building materials without extensive demolition. This narrows down the source of the leak and reduces repair times. 

If infrared technology is unable to pinpoint the exact source of the leak, specialists may need to remove part of the structure to access and repair it. 

How to repair leaks in buildings

Different leaks require different repair techniques. A foundation leak will need a much different approach than a plumbing leak. Waterproofing and joint sealing are common ways to stop water infiltration, combined with concrete repair and low-pressure injections. In the case of plumbing leaks or HVAC complications, those issues will need to be addressed by those professionals.

If you’re worried about a leak in your building, contact JK Industries for thermographic leak detection.