Water ingress: balconies, decks and terraces

How do I know if I have water ingress?

Indicators of water ingress may appear on the same floor as the balcony, deck or terrace or be visible from the level below. Some warning signs that you should look out for include:

• water marks seen on exterior walls, ceiling linings or structure
• efflorescence in concrete or render (white mineral salts that leach from concrete with moisture and crystallise on drying)
• cracked or discoloured concrete
• creaky floors or damaged flooring or carpets, particularly near exterior walls and wet areas
• movement in floor tiles or cracked grout (or tile tenting)
• loose or rusted balustrade fixings or connections
• damp patches, mould, stains, or discoloration on walls or ceilings
• peeling paintwork, damaged paint, or peeling wallpaper
• damp and musty smells
• wetness in cabinets
• swollen or cracked timber or plasterboard elements
• soft, spongy timber which may indicate wood rot
• rust stains or corrosion to metal
• water ponding (the pooling of water that neither drains nor evaporates in a reasonable amount of time) which indicates inadequate fall and/or drainage and increases the potential of water damage.

Indications of water ingress

• Rust on the steel balustrade implies that the steel may not have received the necessary protective treatment.

• Water marks on the exterior walls might be an indication of problems such as a blocked balcony drain, inadequate falls, or improper capping.
  

• Water marks and surface spalling are indicative of water ingress.

• Cracks in the facade finish and peeled paint may be indicative of the presence of moisture.

What should I do to protect my property from water ingress?

All homeowners and commercial property owners with balconies, decks, and terraces should regularly inspect them for signs of leaks, damage, or deterioration. Every year, you should do a visual inspection.

If you spot any of the above water ingress signs or indicators, the BPC recommends that you engage a registered builder or a structural engineer to provide you with professional advice on the required rectification, as required.

Engage a licenced plumber if you notice that the balcony outlet does not discharge completely or is slow to discharge after rain, as this may indicate outlet or drainpipe blockage.

Issues that may cause water ingress

• Any unsealed penetrations that are visible should be dealt with promptly.
  

• Check that balcony drains and overflows are unblocked, clean and functioning at full capacity to prevent any problems. 

• To prevent rust, it's important to provide steel balustrades, posts and connections with an anti-rust coating and inspect them regularly. 

Who else can help with water ingress?

You may also seek the advice of leak detection companies that offer non-invasive technology to detect leaks without disturbing your balcony, enabling you to address the underlying issues. Once the reason for the water ingress is confirmed, you should take steps to address the cause to stop the water ingress as soon as possible to limit the extent of damage. This may not require costly repairs – sometimes it just a matter of painting steel balustrades or posts with an anti-rust protective coating and inspecting them regularly.

For additional safety measures, read more about balconies, decks, and balustrades.

The BPC continues to take proactive measures to improve building compliance and performance and eliminate water damage caused by water ingress on balconies.

These measures include:

• Practitioner Education Series
• Consumer awareness news and media releases
• Research-focused programs.