According to Contreras, who has been in the sector for nearly 20 years, the causes of leaks in buildings constructed by companies and independent professionals could be due to the aging of their roofs, thinness and waterproofing materials, or poorly installed water tanks and pipes
SANTO DOMINGO- Constant leaks can damage buildings, their foundations or structures, footings, beams, columns and slabs, as well as cabinets and closets, a situation that ends up devaluing their costs in the market, says the architect and builder Ernesto Contreras.
These conditions are compounded by the discomfort caused by humidity, bad smells, and even skin and respiratory diseases that can be caused by the presence of fungi in the buildings where they occur.
Contreras cites the reasons why leaks can occur, stating that they originate from rainwater, water from pipes, or soil moisture.
“When they come from the roof, their causes are generally due to deterioration of the upper surface layer of the roof or plate, that is, the “roofing finish” or its waterproofing, whose poor condition can occur due to aging or original defects such as poor quality of work and/or material of the finish, or of the waterproofing if it has one,” he explains.
Other leaks he mentions are those that occur on the floors below the top level, which can be caused, he points out, by defects in the roof of the floors above or by the aging of the pipes in bathrooms and kitchens on the floors above these.
“Finally, there are leaks in the walls of the first floors, which can happen due to the presence of water in the soils under floors or in walls that are attached as if they were retaining walls to damp and sloping terrain,” the expert explained.
According to Contreras, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the field, the causes of leaks in buildings constructed by companies and independent professionals could be due to the aging of their roofs, thinness and waterproofing materials, or poorly placed water tanks and pipes.
He argues that the concrete and mortar used by construction companies is industrial material, of quality and with proper procedures, which he believes cannot be said to "rely on informal constructions that employ questionable personnel and even materials of questionable quality.".
“The roofing layer is a surface or layer on top of the slab, a mortar or mixture of coarse sand, cement, and water, with technical specifications regarding the proportions and cleanliness of each component of the mixture. Among these specifications is that the sand must be clean, washed, and free of any dirt or clay, because when water is present, small cells or holes form in it, and when water penetrates them, it damages the roofing layer, thus creating leaks,” he explained.
He argued that for the issue of leaks, the market offers a variety of companies that provide multiple technologies, both for detecting water leaks and seepage, as well as materials to correct them.
