Effective waterproofing is of vital importance to all homeowners and not just when purchasing a new property. Without an effective waterproof maintenance plan, you may run into all sorts of damp issues in the future. But, with careful planning and professional assistance, you can eliminate the most common sources of damp problems in your home. Today, our protective waterproofing & home maintenance experts are sharing their top water damage prevention tips to help homeowners everywhere prevent mould, mildew and other damp-related issues in residential buildings.
Why Waterproofing Maintenance is Essential
All modern Australian homes are constructed with damp-proof courses and other preventative measures to combat the problems associated with excess moisture. However, these measures will only continue to provide protection for as long as they are properly maintained. A well-thought-out waterproofing maintenance plan can help protect your home against water damage to the foundations, mold growth on walls and costly structural repairs. Failing to create and follow an effective waterproofing maintenance plan is a recipe for rising damp and rising maintenance costs that all sensible homeowners are eager to avoid.
Protective Waterproofing: Key Areas to Focus On
If you’re new to the topic of home waterproofing maintenance, here are the key areas you should focus on when inspecting your home for potential problems:
- Bathrooms – As you might expect, bathrooms are a very common source of water damage in all types of residential properties. Check yours thoroughly and contact a waterproofing specialist if you identify any issues.
- Balconies – Balconies are another potential problem area where waterproofing maintenance is crucial. Leaking balconies should always be tackled as soon as possible to avoid long-term structural damage.
- Kitchens – With more than their fair share of plumbing fixtures, kitchens are another obvious hotspot you need to check when searching for potential problems.
- Basements – Finally, if your property features below-ground space, such as a finished or unfinished basement, be sure to include this area in your inspection. Many potentially serious damp issues originate in this part of the home.
Take care of these key areas and you’re almost home and dry as far as waterproofing maintenance is concerned. But remember to inspect all other areas too, as early leak detection is vital, and all properties have their own idiosyncrasies as far as waterproofing and damp problems are concerned.
Inspecting Waterproof Membranes and Seals
When inspecting your home for potential waterproofing maintenance, you must check all waterproof membranes and seals for wear and tear. Any cracks, blisters and peeling should be noted and investigated further to ensure that your property remains protected.
How to Maintain Waterproofing System Components Around Balconies and Bathrooms
Balconies and bathrooms pose specific waterproofing maintenance issues, as noted earlier. However, it’s possible to minimise the chances of encountering moisture-related issues in these areas by following our experts’ protective waterproofing and home maintenance tips:
- Reseal Grout Once or Twice a Year
- Inspect Drainage Systems and Tiles for Damage Regularly
Continual exposure to water makes these two areas a real issue for homeowners who don’t have an effective waterproofing maintenance strategy in place. We recommend dealing with all leaking balcony repairs promptly, and the same advice applies to leaking shower repairs. Fail to attend to waterproofing leaks promptly, and you could face huge repair costs in the future.
Waterproofing Maintenance Tips for Long Protection
To extend the service life of your home waterproofing, maintenance is essential. You can take the following steps to further protect your property from excess moisture issues:
- Clean Gutters Regularly to Prevent Water Overflow
- Have Professional Inspections at Regular Intervals to Catch Problems Early
- Inspect Drains for Blockages to Prevent Standing Water Around the Foundations
- Maintain HVAC Systems in Good Working Order
If you’re in Sydney, NSW, you can take advantage of our professional leak detection services. We have a team of highly experienced technicians who are among the very best in the business.
How Do You Maintain Waterproofing?
Waterproofing maintenance is a complex topic that cannot be mastered in a few minutes or even a few months but if you’re keen to tackle any potential issues yourself, you may need to clean, reseal and reapply various protective elements around your home. How often these tasks need to be performed will depend on the amount of foot traffic each area receives and prevailing weather conditions over time.
Professional Waterproofing Maintenance Services
The easiest way to ensure that waterproofing repairs are always dealt with promptly and effectively is to hire experienced professionals to perform the necessary work. Moisture control to protect your property is just too important to leave to chance. Contact SmartSealed to book an appointment for an inspection anywhere in Sydney, NSW.
