The difference between a leak and precipitation
Winter is in full swing in Cape Town. And with Rainy Days and Cold Front upon us. Roof Leaks are something to be prepared for as we go further into the season. However as the calls have started to rush in, our team have often found when arriving for an inspection. (That is no obligation and comes with a free quote). That the roof leak is actually condensation that has built up overnight due to the cold.
This is why our team have put together an article to help you understand the difference between a Leak & Precipitation.
What is the difference between a leak & precipitation?
One of the easiest ways to identify, if you have a leak or if you are experiencing condensation is to look at the stain that has formed on your ceiling.
How to Identify Condensation
Condensation is formed when warm, moist air comes into contact with a cold surface and releases excess moisture from the surface. As warm air rises, it can make contact with the ceiling. If colder can create the impression of it being a roof leak. Especially after a period of rain, and the sun’s rays beat down onto the roof sheets. It can also be caused due to the underlays in the roof that has deteriorated over time.
Condensation can often be found in Kitchens, bathrooms, Window Cavities, Light Cavities or any area where moisture is found in the home.
The stain caused by condensation can often appear to be blotchy where the water droplets have formed on the surface.
How to Identify a Leak
Like Condensation, leaks produce stains that appear on the ceiling. However, the difference between them depends on the spot where the leak occurs. Leaks can occur where condensation is not prone to form.
If it is a leak, water stains and dripping will often appear on the ceiling or walls, where the water has penetrated through the roof, or wall cavities
When our Inspectors, are identifying the leak, they will often inspect the surrounding of the room and the source of the leak in order to determine whether it is a roof Leak or Condensation.
Roof Leaks can be caused by a number of different factors. such as broken or cracked tiles, cracks in the existing waterproofing applications, or cracks and gaps in the flashings or parapet walls.
How to fix the problem?
To the untrained eye, there is not always an instant solution, as you would have to first identify if the problem is a leak or condensation. Once you have established this, you will need to find the cause or area of the problem.
Once the source has been discovered, the correct method can be applied. As there are many factors involved in this assessment, it could end up being an expensive and lengthy exercise without a solution being found.
We do recommend that if you do see a water stain forming on your ceiling, to phone a refutable and trustworthy Waterproofing Company to assist you in not only identifying the cause of the leak but also to create an effective solution to the issue.
Specialists in Waterproofing, Roof And Damp-Proofing Cape Town
CT-Water has been in the Waterproofing, Damp-Proofing, Roofing and Water Harvesting industry for over 30 years. With access to some of the biggest and most effective products on the market as well as a team of highly-trained and professional waterproofers and damp-proofers, you can know that Contacting CT-Water is one of the best decisions that you can make.
For any Waterproofing, Dampproofing, Roofing, Water Harvesting and Water Filtration Issues and questions, feel free to contact us by either email, phone, or fill out the form and we will call you back.
CT- Water provides no obligation free quotes and inspections for all Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Winelands, Boland, West Coast and CBD areas.