Helping Stratas weather the storm and the water leaks

Intense storm events and longer wet periods have become increasingly more common in Sydney over the past 5 years. As Strata leak detection specialists we have witnessed an uplift in damaging weather events such as the 2021 and 2022 East Coast Lows, flash flooding, and the more recent electrical storms. These ongoing weather events continue to test the integrity of strata buildings, leading to the unpleasant discovery, or the re-validation, that Strata structures are lacking maintenance and finishing detail.

Strata water leaks experts

Sydney Leak Detection is a reliable and accredited contractor providing a wide range of specialist services to some of the major Strata schemes in Sydney. Moreover, we have become a trusted partner for many Strata Committees delivering effective solutions to protect their assets. During a comprehensive building inspection technicians use a variety of high-end leak detection equipment to diagnose each problem. In turn, we continue to be at the forefront of strata needs by uncovering common factors leading to unwanted rain infiltration inside apartments, shops, professional suites, offices, hotel rooms, and more. These combined factors often include complex and costly items such as deficiencies in the building design, defective installations, and failure of the waterproofing and weatherproofing qualities. Therefore, during massive storms it is easy and logical to understand that the watertight qualities of any building are challenged, fail, and let water in.

But… it turns out that the issues are not always as big as logic lead us to believe, which is great news. Our team of specialist leak detectors are seeing a larger number of strata and commercial buildings being affected during the storms by comparatively much smaller maintenance issues such as unsealed cracks, gaps, and voids in the masonry, render, cladding, Colorbond, flashings, aluminium frames, and roof tiles. Through hundreds of building inspections we have concluded that the cumulative effect of persistent rain is also taking its toll on strata living as vulnerable and ageing building materials become saturated over time. This condition leads to water migration, vapour transfer, moisture retention, dampness, mould, and the most dreaded D word – Damage.

A section of the strata roof gets blown onto the road during the storm with high wind
Quality maintenance is essential to protect Strata assets from increasingly common wild storms
Roofs are vulnerable structures during storm events
Detecting the right building vulnerabilities is critical to minimise ongoing expenses in the wrong areas.
Photo of defective strata exterior
Unknown building defects are often easy to repair with quality products and workmanship.

Strata: The sinking fund dilemma

There is no denying, early detection is key to anticipate and prepare for a storm. A collaborative effort between Strata residents, Strata managers, and the leak detection expert is one of the most effective strategies for asset protection. We get it, the sinking funds of most Strata titles must answer to the competing Ps: Priorities, Politics, Price. In the ideal world every strata building is well maintained, defect and politics free, a fair democracy where everyone gets a fair go. But… we live in a complicated world where the big Ps rule and storms cause real havoc.

It’s no news that destructive weather patterns are forecast not only to continue but be on the rise. The good news is that the expertise of our leak detectors have delivered practical, proven, and cost effective solutions for residential and commercial strata buildings to weather the storms.

Strata leaks: Trusted and proven solutions from a reliable partner

Accurate testing and diagnosis are the foundation to successfully implementing preventive measures. With 30 years of building, plumbing, and leak detection expertise our water specialists have successfully implemented targeted measures across the strata spectrum, from small boutique buildings of 4-6 apartments to multi-storey, mixed used strata complexes. If despite best or ongoing efforts your strata building is in need of some TLC when unexpected storms hit, Sydney Leak Detection provide timely relief in 3 key areas:

1 Make safe

Act. Securing loose or dislodged items during gusty winds is a safety priority: awnings, flashings, roof sheets, vents. Other post storm threats include attending to blocked drains, overflowing gutters, compromised downpipes, drains, and waste pipes.

2 Detect

Find. Conduct a thorough inspection with specialist water leak equipment to detect the cause(s) of the rain infiltration. From roof leaks, leaking balconies, sliding doors, windows, cavity flashings, parapet walls, façades, through seepage.

3 Protect

Fix. Deploy a custom and practical remedial strategy to enhance building performance against storm events. Targeted strata solutions may include a combination of concrete injection, detailed patch-repairs, application of durable & quality compounds.

Strata Reviews

Using the right technology coupled with wisdom and years of experience, Sydney Leak Detection, solved the water ingress problems that had dogged our development for nearly a decade despite successive expensive attempts at remediation.

Owen, Strata Chair Avalon Beach

We have had a range of leaking pipes, roofs, windows and plumbing issues fixed with their exhaustive knowledge of building, plumbing, and waterproofing products. We highly recommend Sydney Leak Detection to locate, solve, and fix a water issue.

Mick VL, Chair Owner’s Committee Narrabeen

Our 35 unit strata scheme has had it’s fair share of issues with waterproofing and leaks over it’s 20 year life. For the past 10 years, our go-to provider of solutions to these issues has been Sydney Leak Detection. The team brings a wealth of experience along with a commitment to doing a great job.

D O’Brien, Strata Chairman Collaroy