Case 2

Water Leakage at Pipe Joint

Introduction

Type of Building: Public

Water is found leaking around the pipe penetrations with dark damp patches on the floor/ceiling around the pipes. The seal for the penetration if any have worn out and allows water to seep in around the pipe.

Water seepage through the slab of a wet area could take place through (a) porous concrete, (b) cracks, (c) joints, and (d) pipe penetrations. The watertightness of the slab relies mainly on the detailing of waterproofing over discontinuities such as joints and penetrations. The lack of detailing at these discontinuities would likely result in water seepage. Details such as lapping at critical locations are important for the waterproofing system to form an effective barrier against water seepages.