30 Jun 2024, Read Time : 7 Min

Monsoon Wall Seepage Solutions: Preventing and Treating Water Leakage from the Walls

Understanding Wall Seepage: Causes and Effects

What is Wall Seepage?

It is one of the most common structural issues that Indian homeowners face during monsoon season. Also known as water leakage, water, be it from rain or a pipeline, finds its way inside walls through cracks, gaps, and porous materials. 

What Causes Wall Seepage?

The cause of water leakage from any wall is the use of cheap raw materials during the wall construction. It can also be due to poor waterproofing measures during construction. Since the external concrete walls get exposed to the outdoor elements, prolonged contact with the rainwater can lead to cracks, causing water or moisture to seep into the walls and, thereby, resulting in damping the walls. Also, the absence of plaster or any protective layer on the outdoor walls can lead to seepage. Besides rainwater, water from your sewage lines, bathroom, kitchen, or water tank can leak and cause seepage issues. Several more causes of water leaking from the wall are there, like the absence of a proper drainage pipe system, which can cause dampness to your walls. 

Effects of Water Leaking from the Wall

If the cracks on the walls or leakage in your pipeline or water tank are not taken care of, moisture can seep through the walls, which can cause multiple negative effects on your interiors. The water leakage from the wall can not only ruin your wall paint but also make your interiors smell unpleasant. Also, moisture generated due to indoor and outdoor temperature differences can lead to swelling or rotting of the walls. 

Water Seepage: Impact on Your House

Water seepage in walls can cause numerous damage to your house if you don’t pay attention to it in time. 

• The water leakage from the walls can damage the look of the wall, whether you have painted the wall or installed wallpaper. Wall dampness can even cause damage to tiles on walls – loosening or cracking in severe cases. 
• Continuous water seepage in walls during rainy seasons can harm the longevity of your house’s structural elements. After all, due to high moisture levels within the concrete walls, the iron bars may start to rust. Also, when the water leaking from the wall during rain spreads across the area, it can cause damage to the furniture, especially wooden pieces, which you may have used in your house. Excessive seepage in walls, ceilings, or flooring can also result in flooding within the house during heavy rains. 

Impact of Water Seepage on Health

Water leakage from the walls can pose significant health hazards besides structural damage to your house. 

• High moisture levels within the concrete walls from water seepage create appropriate conditions for mould or mildew growths, which may degrade the air quality within the space, causing respiratory problems to individuals with low immunity. 
• Also, damp walls serve as breeding grounds for microbes, which can lead to allergies or chronic health problems.
• Besides, water seepage in walls can cause electrical hazards if water reaches the electrical lines or appliances, which, in the worst cases, can lead to short circuits or fires. 

Preventive Measures for Wall Seepage

You may think wall seepage is inevitable. However, if you can implement certain preventive measures, you can prevent water leakage issues in your house. With the necessary measures, you no longer have to wonder about how to stop water leakage from the wall. Here are some wall leakage solution tips if you are wondering how to stop water leakage from the wall. 

• Make sure to check your terrace system frequently to ensure there are no cracks. If you spot any, repair it immediately. Or, consider laying durable terrace tiles. 
• Install porcelain tiles in kitchens and bathrooms, combined with a layer of waterproofing, to prevent water from reaching the walls. Also, use exhaust fans in these spaces to ensure proper ventilation. 
• Fix the gaps between tiles or below doors and windows to stop water damage. 
• Consider installing elevation tiles on your exterior walls with waterproofing for an effective wall seepage solution. 
• The drainage system to manage the flow of water and prevent water buildup should be clean and proper. 

Treatment Options for Wall Seepage

If you are still confused about how to stop wall leakage, you should consider laying wall tiles or re-tiling the wall. It is one of the most preferred wall seepage treatment options, which will not only prolong the lifespan of the wall but also elevate its visual appeal. 

However, laying tiles cannot treat the root cause of water leakage. You need to apply a waterproofing layer on the wall first, which will serve as a protective layer to prevent water seepage. After this waterproofing layer, you can lay tiles. Go for porcelain tiles or vitrified tiles as they can provide a further wall leakage solution, thanks to their less-porous bodies. Don’t forget to apply grout to fill the gaps between the tiles, and also apply a grout sealer to shield the grout from moisture. All in all, low-porosity wall tiles, paired with waterproofing layers, can offer an excellent wall seepage treatment. 

How to Prevent Water Seepage Through Walls with Cracks?

If there are cracks in your walls, use mortar to repair the cracks. However, use white cement for cracked or damaged roofs and tiles. 

How to treat ceilings affected by water seepage?

Water accumulation on the terrace leads to seepage through ceilings. Check the terrace floor and parapet walls and fill all cracks if you find any. For the best wall seepage treatment for your ceiling, you should consider a proper waterproofing treatment to safeguard your home from water leakages and dampness. 

How to treat bathroom leakage?

Water seepage in bathrooms can occur due to taps or sanitary fittings. So, if there are any leaks there, fix it immediately. Also, if you spot any gaps or cracks on floor or wall tiles, seal the gap or repair them using mortar, cement, or other waterproof materials. This is the best floor or wall seepage treatment that you can go for your bathroom leakage.

How to treat floor seepage?

To treat floor seepage caused by moisture rising on the ground and damaging tiles, the best wall leakage solution is to use waterproofing materials to repair the floor. During the process, you should opt for sturdy water pipes and make sure to leave no gap between the floor tiles. 

Conclusion

Regardless of how small or big your wall seepage issues are in your house, it is better to not ignore them and get them fixed, especially before the monsoon arrives. After all, even a small crack in a wall can attack the entire wall, which will eventually impact the structure of your house. So, if you want to protect your house from structural damage and your family from health hazards, opt for preventive wall seepage solutions. Reach out to Orientbell Tiles to get more guidance on protecting your home from potential wall seepage problems. 

FAQs

• What leads to seepage of water in walls?

Wall seepage in walls can occur because of cracks, gaps, or damaged seals which somehow lets water or moisture seep through the concrete layers of the walls from rain, groundwater, or leaking pipes. 

• Does ventilation prevent wall seepage?

Ventilation does not directly help prevent water seepage. Instead, it helps reduce moisture levels within a space, ensuring no condensation occurs which can cause mould growth. 

• Is wall seepage harmful to your health and house?

Yes. Wall seepage can have negative impacts on your health and house. Water leakage from the walls eventually erodes the house’s structural integrity, if the problem is not addressed. Likewise, wall dampness offers the ideal conditions for bacterial and mould growth, which can cause allergic and respiratory troubles in low-immunity people. 

• What is the most ideal chemical for wall leakage?

The most popular waterproofing agent for stopping wall seepage is poly acrylic. 

• How is it possible to prevent water leakage through tiles?

When installing the tiles, consider using a waterproof adhesive and grout to minimise water leaks. Also, inspect the tiles frequently to spot gaps and close them to hinder water leakage.

• How can the infiltration of water into walls be stopped?

The best strategy to stop water infiltration is to find out the source of the leak. Whether there are damaged seals or cracks, adding a waterproofing layer can help.

• How to cease water from seeping through walls?

Use waterproofing coatings to plug any gaps or cracks in walls to cease water leakage. Also, ensure your house has a proper drainage system to prevent water accumulation which can cause dampness.