Is your home suffering from unwanted water leakage right from your concrete roofing? If yes, you have reached the right place where you will get to know some tips by which you can solve the concrete roof slab leak. The problem of roof leaks is quite alarming, and you will be surprised to see that you are not alone who is dealing with this issue.
According to experts, roofs made of concrete are prone to damage, resulting in moisture retention and leakages. However, this doesn’t mean that a concrete roof is not good; instead, it has many benefits, which you might know. So, before we come to the main point, let’s discuss some of the causes of concrete roof leakage and its symptoms.
Causes of a concrete roof slab leakage
Cracks, joints, and pores in the concrete structure of the roof act as the passage of leakage: –
- On various roofs, cracks occur due to excessive deflection due to overloading, implementation of faulty structural design, and sometimes inadequate design considerations.
- Water leakage in the concrete slab in the roof is also due to extreme climatic conditions that result in shrinkage, thermal expansion-contraction, and creep, resulting in the formation of cracks.
- Vegetative growth in the concrete roof that rises cracks and abrasion
- Spalling of concrete, which is due to the concrete of reinforcement, also delivers cracks in the roof
- Due to poor quality tiles and marbles
- The design of the overhead water tank is not proper
- Low-quality plumbing work that results in leaking pipes and pipe joints
However, these above causes are not the end rather, and there are many more causes due to which concrete roof slab leaks occur.
Symptoms of water leakage
There are various symptoms by which you will come to know there is a concrete roof slab leak in your home.
- Vegetative growth
- Visible cracks
- Damp spots
- Reduced water pressure in taps
Tips for troubleshooting concrete roof slab leak
- Find out the leakage source
This is one of the first steps that will help you stop the water leakage from the roof. For this, you have to inspect the entire roof surface and look for the ponding water, inspect the plumbing lines and cracks in the concrete surface, and check the sides of the building roofs, drainage pipes, etc.
Here keep in mind that professional concrete roof slab leak contractors must do the roof inspection, and the reason is personally inspecting the roof is quite a risky task. However, if you want to know the source of leakage, go for a visual inspection first. But ensure not to reach the high areas and also do not climb up the roof.
Moreover, if you want your property to be safe, ensure to call the experts as they have the right tools and equipment to do the inspection work and solve the issue.
- Call the professional
The home roof is an essential part of any building structure, so it is recommended to call an expert on a concrete roof slab leaktocheck the leaks and their primary cause. However, you can surely do your homework before a professional arrives but do not climb the roof for the inspection.
As we are not experts, we are not able to find the main issue so trust the professional advice for the best result.
- Fill the cracks
Due to various reasons, the concrete roof becomes prone to cracks and holes. Due to this reason, water penetrates these spaces, resulting in water leakage. However, if the water leakage is significantly less, you can go for minor roof repairs.
But before you apply this mixture to the roof, ensure to clean the roof surface. To do this, you can take the help of a pressure washer to remove all types of debris and dirt lying around. After that, fill the cracks or holes with mortar or roof cement. Ensure to follow the roof primer and then wait till it is completely dry.
Next, apply an elastomeric sealant on the cracks, holes, corners, and various other damaged areas.
- Test the adequacy of waterproofing done
After you finish the above step, you have to go for testing, in which you will come to know the adequacy of waterproofing. For this, you have to fill the roof with water up to the depth of 1-2″, which is also called water ponding, and then check for the damp signs after 72 hours.
When you check the roof after 72 hours, and if you find no signs of dampness, your repair is successful. If there is dampness, you have to follow the entire process again.
- Go for regular maintenance.
No doubt you have stopped the water leakage, but you have to ensure it will not happen again for the safe future. That means scheduling a professional inspection at least twice a year as they will monitor and study the concrete roofing structure and solve the issue if there is anything.
However, here you have to remember that the roof is a quite massive and essential structure of the building so as not to go for any DIY projects.
The bottom line
The concrete roof is a considerable investment for the people, so if you want to maximize time and resources, contact professional concrete roof slab leak contractors. However, if you opt for any unprofessional people for the work, they will damage the roof further by which you have to spend more than initial.
So, if your home is suffering from concrete water leakage, ensure to fix the issue as soon as possible before it becomes major. But make sure you only hire the best concrete roof slab leak company for the work as they have lots of experience and skills to do the satisfactory work.
Author Bio:- Josephine Floyd
Josephine Floyd is a marketing head at L&S Turnkey. He is an experienced marketing leader with over 12 years of experience in the plumbing industry. With extensive knowledge of severe water damage, mold damage, and fire damage, as well as general plumbing services, he writes articles about water and flood damage repair and restoration along with heating installation, maintenance, and repair to make readers aware of the potential risk and quick actions they can take to reduce damage. Keep reading his latest articles to have an understanding of whether your plumbing system is intact or not; if not, what you should do to fix it.
