What to do

What to do if you discover a leak in your home

Take a note of the leak, where and when you first noticed it. Keep records of where and when you first noticed it and/or the damage it caused.
If you have a camera, take photographs.
Get a second opinion from a trusted friend or building professional such as Platinum Pacific Reclad.

You may be able to find out who the builder was, or who the cladding installer or roofer was.

You should note who was responsible for the Code Compliance Certificate – was it the local council or a building certifier?

Consult an expert

Employing a qualified and experienced weathertight consultant is the proper way to deal with the discovery of a leak.

Weathertight consultants are trained to follow a procedure for firstly discovering the presence of leaks and secondly, deciding what remedial work needs to be carried out.

Some consultants will help you choose suitably experienced tradesmen, oversee the quotes and 'monitor' the tradesman's work. Although the tradesmen may be experienced, fixing leaking buildings is specialised work and requires expert advice and monitoring to ensure that the leak(s) do not reappear for any reason.

The tradesmen alone cannot give you that assurance.

For your peace of mind, we use independent weathertightness experts.

Platinum Pacific Reclad will liaise with experts on your behalf as part of getting your leaky home problems solved.

Investigating the problem

A check for high moisture levels within the timber frame needs to be made to fully understand the extent of the issue.

Further investigation

If extensive areas of moisture are found, or if the results do not appear to be consistent, further investigation will need to be made. This is done with a pronged moisture meter through small holes drilled in the walls. This tests the moisture levels in the timber itself.

If there are signs of moisture in several areas, even further investigation by removing wall linings may be required. This is often the only reliable means of discovering the full extent of water entry. It is also important to determine if the timber framing has been treated, as this will determine the extent of structural damage.

Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging technology is a non-invasive moisture meter. It uses infrared cameras to detect moisture intrusion.

More about thermal imaging

Thermal Image of Leaky Home The camera captures images that immediately show damp areas by detecting variations in thermal energy (ie temperature). Areas that are cool and damp will appear dark.

These images are used to pinpoint problem areas and determine the extent of any moisture problems that are not necessarily visible to the naked eye.

It is a fast, effective and reliable method that provides clear evidence of moisture without causing surface or structural damage.

Steps to be Taken

A Certified Building Consultant must carry out an inspection of the property to ascertain areas that are, or could, cause water ingress.
A Scope of Works is written by this Building Consultant for the builder to carry out the repairs. This report can identify target repairs. If target repairs are widespread, recommendation may be made to reclad the entire property.
Plans are drawn up and submitted to the local Council for a Building Consent. The consent costs are approximately $800 – $3,000. This is based on the dollar value of the consented work.
Once the Building Consent is issued, work can be undertaken. (As of March 2008, any building work carried out to repair water ingress problems require a Building Consent).
All work undertaken is inspected by the local Council and depending on the work, is also inspected by the Building Consultant.
All work is signed off on completion and a Code of Compliance Certificate is issued.

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