What happens when it rains in the cooler months?

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁, 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 = 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀

Because most materials expand when they are heated and contract when they are cooled, concrete will expand or contract slightly with changes in temperature. This means that concrete structures will shrink during the cooler months and as a result, cracks and joints are likely to widen during this time. The cooler season is normally a fairly dry season, so expanding cracks and joints may not cause any issues regarding water ingress. Now that the wet season is extending well into the cooler months, cracks in your concrete slab, cold joints or wall to floor joints that have never leaked in the past, may start to show signs of water ingress when it rains.

Additionally, the soil is already high in moisture from recent big rain events and periods of continuous rainy days. Cold temperature, wet weather, hydrostatic pressure and the lateral pressure from saturated soil can push the excess water into basement slabs, foundations and retaining walls where water can seep through cracks, porous building materials, holes, joints and/or compromised waterproofing.

The La Niña system has an above average chance of lasting into September 2022

Research shows the La Niña system, which began 18 months ago and has bombarded Australia with record rainfall and floods, has an above average chance of remaining present into September. Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the US Climate Prediction Centre said there was a 63 per cent likelihood of La Nina throughout winter and a 58 per cent chance of the system continuing into spring. So, with the extra rainy weather, that is set to continue through to possibly September, there is an increased risk of experiencing water ingress.

Many properties are feeling the effects of the persisting heavy rainfall we recently have had on the South East Coast of Australia. Fortunately, our leak-sealing specialist technicians deliver industry-leading solutions to leaking buildings and concrete structures that provide reliable, long-lasting results.

During the past few months, the Waterstop Solutions teams in Brisbane and Sydney have demonstrated their passionate dedication and unwavering integrity in everything they do by helping as many as possible as quickly as possible with high quality outcomes in mind.  Prolonged rainstorms have caused many buildings to take in water and we have seen many kinds of situations from minor seepage issues to more distressing situations where below-ground living areas are several centimetres deep in water as well as overflowing lift pits, flooded basements, leaking rooftops, garages and balconies.

Experiencing a leak in your building? 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!

We will happily assist with any water ingress issues in concrete structures and concrete defect repairs.

Are you wondering how prolonged rain can affect your building? Further information in our Blog article below:

How prolonged rain can affect your building

Please click on the image below to download Waterstop Solutions Capability Statement

Waterstop Solutions Capability Statement is now available to download as PDF. (The image is clickable and opens up a link to our Capability Statement). 

 

 

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Good maintenance begins with a proactive approach to maintain, keep, preserve and protect a building.