Hi Guys, ask me anything of Water leaking / Waterproofing. The more complicated the question is, the better.

Just ask me everything and i will try my best to answer when i have time.

The more challenge the water leaking waterproofing situation is, the more adrenaline i get Especially those who appointed few contractors to solve waterproofing water leaking problems and yet still failed to rectify the water leaking waterproofing.

Those common water leaking i can share about are below:
1. Waterproofing Problem / Waterproofing Materials
2. Water leaking / Plumbing (toilet, roof slab, wall concrete slab)
3. Concrete crack repair solution.

In general, There are few types of waterproofing chemical
1. Liquid applied PU waterproofing membrane
2. Cementitious waterproofing coating
3. Chemical injection waterproofing system
4. Exposed waterproofing system
5. Self adhesive waterproofing system

I believe Water leaking or Waterproofing problem is the most nightmare defects rectification work compare other defects. Worse still some contractors proposed wrong method solving the leaking matter or some contractor disappear after owner engage their service and many nightmare stories that i heard.

I will be very glad to share some of my experiences rectifying water leaking problems or waterproofing problems and share my knowledge the best solution to rectify it

First of all, apologize for my English and please focus on my knowledge sharing here

I will show more picture example soon

This post has been edited by moonhowler: Aug 2 2017, 06:52 PM

hi everyone, thanks for dropping your questions regarding water leaking or waterproofing problems.

To solve the leaking 1st floor (terrace), usually there are two methods to rectify it

Method 1. Hack the entire floor and redo everything[SIZE=7]
To hack the entire tiles,
To hack the existing cement sand screed,
To hack the existing waterproofing materials until the concrete base.

Once removed everything, Redo everything. Start with

Supply and apply with new waterproofing materials (Cementitious type),
Supply and apply cement sand screed (gradient/slope surface - gravity high level to low level to allow water flow)
Supply and install new tiles

Above method 1 is always the best solution. However required alot of time and the most expensive method. This method can be use if the water leaking area is too severe or too "complicated scenario"
"Complicated scenario like
I) concrete profiles full of crackline or full of porosity
II) the existing waterproofing embedded failed miserably
III) contractor forgot/never apply waterproofing membrane at all

Method 2. To inject chemical PU injection to permanently stop the leaking at that particular area only
Firstly Determine and analyze the leaking area
Then Inject Chemical PU grouting to stop the water leaking area. This PU grouting once react with water will expand form a tight, impermeable, elastomeric seal and permanently stop the water leaking at "that particular area only"

Above method 2 do not required those hassle or hacking. Very straight forward rectify the water leaking.

I will update more pictures to explain in more details. Currently busy

Is your small bathroom completely new? The entire floor is "naked'? If so get those "cementitious Waterproofing type will do. Cementitious Type waterproofing is the cheapest among other membrane type (Polyurethene PU, Torch On membrane, Acrylic Polymer etc...) Internal areas can be apply with cementitious waterproofing membrane because internal areas do not exposed the sun and rain.

Exposed area to sun and rain must not apply with cementitious type waterproofing. The reason is over the long period expand and contraction will easily damage the brittle type cementitious waterproofing.

I assuming your self adhesive waterproofing DIY type is pour on the tiles flooring surface and allow it penetrate into the concrete pore? This DIY type depending on the tiles and concrete profile surface. If the concrete profiles surface full of severe crackline / very porosity or the existing waterproofing embedded inside the concrete poorly apply. This self adhesive DIY won't be effective.

This DIY might work if the leaking is very minor and concrete profiles surface is not severe.

My definition of self adhesive waterproofing type is those apply at large scale project spec by architect. Its not very popular type of waterproofing

I think those DIY type is less effective to counter water leaking unless the situation leaking area is very minor. There is another method solving the water leaking without hacking existing tiles and redo the waterproofing which is inject PU grouting. Inject PU grouting is pretty complicated and one must be experienced and skillful to inspect the leaking area to made the best decision. This PU grouting is the most popular method and widely use by the developer and contractor when newly move in house owner complaint their unit is leaking.

I will upload more picture as examples. Hopefully tonight when i am free

This post has been edited by moonhowler: Aug 2 2017, 06:55 PM

reserve

This post has been edited by moonhowler: Aug 2 2017, 05:59 PM

reserve

This post has been edited by moonhowler: Aug 2 2017, 06:09 PM

Very good question VeeJay, Its always good to do initial investigation / inspection if the leaking condition is too complicated and to determine which area toilet leaking. We call this ponding test

And for your case, the problem should be Waterproofing issue if the leaking occasionally drip. Usually if the water dripping day and night with constant dripping speed, most likely its due to piping.


There are many brands of cementitious type waterproofing in the market. And most of them does work well as long you follow the manufacturer guides instruction. And contractor must have some basic knowledge how to apply. I will soon come out with some technical drawing details waterproofing.

Popular Brands Waterproofing in Malaysia Market for tendering contract project
1. Sika, Mapei, Penten, Estop, Fosroc, Xypex, Greenseal, Greencemt, Bostik, Daco, Axel Chemil, STO, Oriental Yu Hong (upcoming china brand)

Some of the brands above you can't find in any hardware store and can only get at their manufacturer plant. You can get very good discount with bulk quantity. Some of them only focus supply to big development project contract only.

The new waterproofing brand Oriental Yu Hong is the cheapest and have bigger coverage. A close friend of mine is dealing directly with the manufacturer. The sample quality is unbelievably good.

Example of technical drawing details submit for architect or consultant for approval



This post has been edited by moonhowler: Aug 3 2017, 03:35 PM

Haha! Thanks! I will update more pictures of waterproofing soon. Recently i was completely away from computer.


Can do some initial investigation first if not sure. Any raining that particular day?

To check whether its condensation or leaking at the plaster ceiling. Maybe you can ask the contractor to cut that area of moisture / condensation spots on plaster ceiling and allow few days to monitor any minor leaking?

If condensation, just install exhaust fan could easily get rid of the bad ventilation humid air.

Good question about this method

This method is suitable if the tiles bonding with the concrete surface is still solid intact. Because this application method is applying on top of the floor tiles surface.

Those floor tiles with alot of hollow sounds (when you knock the tiles), eventually will come off in the future. The hollow sounds happen because the bonding between the floor tiles and concrete surface is no longer intact. The epoxy waterproofing flake which applying on top of the floor tiles will come off together too. Leaking occurred.

Epoxy flake waterproofing final layer is apply with a transparent liquid chemical call Epoxy. This final layer might be slippery to some people and there are few cases ppl fall down. This is better to avoid if you have old man might using that toilet shower area.

Another bad thing is if you have very nice color expensive floor tiles, this epoxy flake waterpoofing will apply on top of it and you wont able see that beautiful expensive floor tiles anymore.

Pros
This method work if the tiles flooring still strongly intact with the concrete surface. No hollow sound at all.
You can have them create few design pattern.
If you have a bad looking tiles, this epoxy flake waterproofing will cover it and makes it better looking

Recently i found a contractor using another more or less similar method like Epoxy flake waterproofing but without apply epoxy final layer. I will try ask him more details his method and some photos to update here. The finishing pretty nice too.

Sorry for the delay update. I wasn't accessible to my computer for one week due to outstation =)

I semi-retired doing waterproofing work already. Hahaha!! However if you want a truly specialize waterproofing contractor around klang valley. Those only do waterproofing and rectifying water leaking. I could share their contact number here. I can find my old specialize waterproofing contacts at Johor and Penang area too after i ask their permission. =)

I classified two types of waterproofing contractor.
1) A waterproofing contractor specialize doing commercial big development project (example: Shopping mall, Condo etc)
2) A waterproofing contractor specialize doing only residential house (example: house toilet, shop toilet)

I will share their contact numbers here after i get their permission. Because some of them are attached to manufacturer waterproofing plant.

I met the waterproofing contractor that using another method more or less similar method like Epoxy flake waterproofing but without apply epoxy final layer. Less slippery and pretty good looking too.



Its finishing using those typical pebbles type and he did a very slope. Water flow down to downpipe very fast leaving the area floor dried up very quick. Due to pebbles rough surface, its not slippery at all.

I will explain in more details his method on my next post.

Hmm.. The waterproofing products is wrongly used. Never use "cementitious waterproofing materials" apply at external area that exposed to sun and raining (roof, balcony, swimming pool).

Cementitious waterproofing materials can only apply at internal area like (internal toilet, internal kitchen etc). Areas did not exposed sun and raining.

Torch on membrane is good but expensive. And make sure the surface area has good slope. Water ponding above torch on membrane in a long period will peel off.



My advice apply those exposed waterproofing membrane acrylic copolymer design against sunlight and UV resistance. The finishing will be waterproofing membrane (grey color) embedded with fibreglass sandwich in between waterproofing membrane. Apply minimum 3 - 4 layers waterproofing membrane because this is external area.

All development project using this type of design waterproofing method if architect specify exposed waterproofing at roof top. Waterproofing manufacturer usually recommend this method.

Epoxy resin eventually will wear out apply at external area due to raining and sun especially our tropical country. Within one year wear out most probably a very thin layer apply at the surface only. =)

In my experience grout sealant will not solved. Even if solved, the leaking will come back very soon. Grout sealant wear out very soon. Curiosity you mention 2nd method apply epoxy (not flake type) is it something above picture i post?