Leakco can diagnose and resolve all subfloor water or moisture issues

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The presence of subfloor moisture can have devastating consequences to the structural integrity of any dwelling, leading to rotting bearers and joists and collapsed flooring in many instances. Often the occupant will be alerted to excess moisture in the subfloor by odour and even flooring issues like floorboard cupping or floor droop. Externally the excess moisture trapped in the subfloor can manifest itself by symptoms of rising damp which can include salt deposits on the brickwork, crumbling mortar etc. Whatever the symptoms, it is vital that subfloor moisture is resolved permanently before any other works are undertaken.

Subfloor water or subfloor moisture? - There is a clear distinction between water in the subfloor and excess moisture in the subfloor and the way in which each is dealt with.

Water in the subfloor - This is defined as having ponding water in the subfloor. Ponding ground water will be resolved with drainage. Ventilation alone will not resolve ponding water which will either be from poor external drainage, water table issues or a leaking pipe in the void. Diagnosis is achieved by first discounting any pressurised or drainage pipes in the void as being the cause and then testing the ground level water by trying to replicate wet weather conditions. Often this issue will occur due to the external ground level being higher than the subfloor gound level and no drainage system to capture the water before it enters the void. The most difficult issue to resolve is if the ponding water is caused by the water table becoming saturated and filling the subflooor void with water. External drainage will not capture this water and stop it from entering the void, so the only way to resolve it is to manage it and not try and stop it.

Subfloor moisture - This is defined as being an excessively damp subfloor, with no ponding water. In this instance the cause is purely a lack of ventilation and it can be resolved by installing mechanical ventilation which both introduces fresh air and expels stale air from the subfloor void.

Once you clearly define the issue between subfloor moisture and subfloor water the solution will become simple. For more information on our services to diagnose subfloor moisture leaks, call John on 0409 191 209 or email to :john@leakco.com.au. Or Click to call us HERE.