Interior Wall Leak From the Outside

Causes

• Poor glazing systems can cause water leaks due to air infiltration. Poor sealing conditions in the main wall frame systems develop interior glazing pockets, causing water to run down a wall. Badly installed pipes can cause hidden leaks that can remain undetected for years until they worsen.

Detection

• Look for areas where different materials meet, such as the connection between brick walls and wood sidings, between the chimney and sidings or between the foundation and the walls. Detect air leaks by closing the windows and doors, turning on the exhaust fans and lighting incense. You have air leak if the wall sucks the smoke coming from the incense. Turning off the lights at night and using a flashlight indoors can help detect holes. Ask someone to observe from the outside where lights are penetrating through. Professionals can perform blower door tests to depressurize your home and check for air tightness to reveal air leaks. Detect water leaks by performing visual inspections for signs of water entering your home. Use a water hose to spray outside of your home to see if water enters through your walls.

After-Effects

• Interior wall leaks result in poor moisture control. Insufficient moisture control may lead to molds and mildew. Exposure to molds can cause skin allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Interior wall leaks caused by the combination of air infiltration and poor waterproofing pose potential architectural problems. Water leaks can lead to wood rot, which leaves a stench. Furthermore, when there's air and water leaks, your home is not energy-efficient, which means higher energy consumption.

Addressing Air Leakage

• Installing air barriers is one of the most effective preventative measures. Air barriers come in forms of structural wraps or sealants applied at the wall joints. The air barrier is the interior glazing gaskets for glass metal wall structures where the joints meet on the framings of the glass. Installing foam gaskets on interior walls will help seal holes created when installing outlets on walls. Use clear silicon acrylic latex to cover visible cracks to prevent air leaking through the wall and other exterior wall holes. Apply sealant to ceiling fixtures, kitchen cabinets, drains and other possible entry ways of air coming from the exterior walls.

Proper Waterproofing

• Visible water leaks on interior walls may indicate bad masonry work and waterproofing. When symptoms and signs of saturation leakage occur, doing visual inspection on the exterior masonry area can determine the extent of the required repairs. Check thoroughly for voids and cracks. Apply silicone-based waterproofing agent to reduce masonry surface pores. Check the waterproofing regularly and re-apply as needed. It's also important to use waterproofing products that will allow the wall surface to dry without trapping damaging moisture.