Case 1

Water Leakage at Floor Traps

Introduction

Type of Building: Residential

A PVC “P” floor trap is illustrated in this case. PVC is a durable and suitable material for plumbing systems in internal areas. In this case, water was leaking through the pipe penetration as illustrated in the animation. Porous infill with cold joint was also observed around the floor trap and identified as the main source of water leakage (Figure 1).

White colour staining below the floor was identified as efflorescence which is a white deposit of salts or stains on the surface of stones, ceramic tiles, concrete, or bricks with cementitious backings or joints as an external crystallization (Figure 2).

In this case, passage of water through the pipe penetration has brought these soluble salts to the surface where they crystallized. Paint failures were observed closer to the floor trap in slab and wall. This is due to the hydrostatic pressure on the paint film, caused by water seepage.