Overview
A building leak investigation is a systematic forensic exercise. Water entering a building at one point can travel considerable distances through the structure before appearing — horizontally through a screed layer, vertically down a cavity wall, or along a rebar line — before manifesting as a stain or drip far from the actual ingress point. Treating the visible stain without tracing the source is the reason most leak repairs repeat within a season.
Prisci Constructions uses a combination of capacitance moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, hose testing, and flood testing to isolate water pathways and confirm source locations. We cross-check findings with building plans (where available) and correlate moisture patterns with structural features, drainage details, and plumbing layouts before issuing a root-cause report.
Our investigation reports are used to resolve inter-floor disputes in apartments, support insurance claims, and form the brief for subsequent repair work. We offer investigation as a standalone service — the client may then use their own contractor to execute the repair, or engage Prisci to carry out the works.
Common Problems We Solve
- Ceiling stain or drip in a room that does not sit directly below a bathroom or terrace — source unclear
- Recurring leak repaired multiple times but always returning — previous contractors treated wrong location
- Dispute between apartment owners about which flat is responsible for a leak between floors
- Wall dampness on an internal wall with no obvious external water source or plumbing nearby
- Intermittent leak appearing only during certain wind directions — façade or window junction issue
- New building with leaks shortly after occupation — construction defect identification for warranty claim
Root Causes
- Terrace or roof leak with horizontal migration in screed layer causing stain far from the actual ingress point
- Concealed plumbing pipe joint failure or hairline crack in embedded pipes — appearing unrelated to any external water source
- Façade crack or window frame sealant failure allowing wind-driven rain to enter the wall cavity
- Condensation from uninsulated cold-water pipes forming on surfaces and being mistaken for a structural leak
- Parapet or coping stone failure allowing water to travel down the wall cavity over several floors before appearing
- Failed waterproofing at a single junction point (e.g., expansion joint or pipe penetration) — the rest of the system intact
Our Approach
We map the extent and pattern of moisture using calibrated instruments before any destructive investigation. Moisture readings across a grid reveal whether saturation is localised or spread — which indicates whether the source is a point defect or a wide-area failure. Thermal imaging identifies wet areas not yet visible to the eye.
We design a structured elimination test — for example, isolating plumbing (by plugging and pressure testing), then hose-testing wall sections, then flood-testing terrace zones in sequence — to confirm or rule out each potential source. This eliminates guesswork and produces a defensible, evidence-based conclusion about the cause.
Tests are conducted systematically, with moisture readings taken before and after each test phase. Photographs document every finding. A written investigation report is issued with the confirmed source, the evidence supporting the conclusion, and a specific repair recommendation. We do not issue vague reports suggesting multiple possible causes.
Materials Used
Building leak investigation is primarily a diagnostic service using instruments and structured testing protocols — the materials below are those used during investigation tests and any interim emergency sealing required to control active ingress during the investigation period.
Our Process
Client Briefing & Historical Information Collection
We begin by reviewing the client's description of the leak pattern: when it occurs (during rain, after rain, continuously, or randomly), where stains appear, how long the problem has existed, and what repairs have been tried. Building drawings, if available, are reviewed to understand the structure's waterproofing strategy, drainage layout, and plumbing routing.
Moisture Mapping with Instruments
A calibrated capacitance moisture meter is used to take readings at a 500mm grid across all affected surfaces — ceiling, walls, and floor. A moisture contour map is produced. High-moisture zones identify where water is present in the structure; the gradient of moisture distribution reveals the probable direction of water travel and points toward the source.
Thermal Imaging Survey
A thermal imaging camera identifies zones of evaporative cooling (active moisture movement) and temperature differences caused by wet substrate — detecting moisture invisible to moisture meters and the naked eye. This is particularly useful for identifying leaks within hollow walls, under screeds, and at concealed structural junctions.
Structured Elimination Testing
Potential sources are tested in sequence. Plumbing: pipes are isolated and pressure-tested to confirm or rule out pipe leakage. Terrace/roof: drainage is plugged and the surface flooded for 4–24 hours while the ceiling below is monitored. Façade: hose testing is conducted at windows, wall-roof junctions, and crack locations in a systematic grid pattern.
Limited Exploratory Opening (if required)
Where non-destructive methods cannot conclusively identify the source (e.g., a concealed pipe joint within a screed), a targeted 300–400mm opening is made at the most probable source location identified by the instrument survey. This is always the minimum intrusion necessary — we do not open walls or floors speculatively.
Investigation Report & Repair Brief
A written investigation report is issued within 3–5 working days of the site investigation. The report includes: confirmed root cause (supported by instrument readings and test results), annotated photographs of all significant findings, and a specific repair recommendation including system type, scope of work, and estimated durability. The report can be used for insurance, dispute resolution, or contractor briefing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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