Leak Detection: How Waterproofing Contractors Can Help

Typically, when you notice signs of water damage on your ceiling or walls, the first instinct is to blame the roof and contact a roofing contractor. However, while roof leaks are common enough, there can be more obscure leak sources, and our team of expert waterproofing contractors can pinpoint precisely where water is entering your home.

Here’s an example from a project we completed a few years ago in Pacific Palisades. We had the honor of working at the home once owned by Ray Liotta, the legendary actor who passed away far too soon back in 2022. The family was preparing to sell the home; however, they had a serious issue – a leak that no one could find.

Multiple roofing companies and other contractors had searched for the leak, determining that it was not coming from any part of the roof. Our team of waterproofing experts was called in, and after some extensive investigation, we found that the leak, which was substantial, was due to a deck waterproofing issue.

To find the leak, we flood tested the deck to determine the points of water entry and used a thermal imaging camera, and discovered that the leaking was caused by faulty flashings as well as failing door pans.

Flashings are thin pieces of metal or other water-resistant material that are installed where a deck meets the side of a house. These flashings essentially prevent water from seeping into the joint between the deck and the house and direct rainwater away from the house. Door pans are waterproof trays or flashing systems that are installed underneath an exterior door. These pans also prevent water seepage and redirect the water away from a structure.

Our team of waterproofing contractors repaired the issue, ensured that the area was watertight with a second round of water testing, and then the family was able to fix up the interior with new drywall and paint and put the home on the market, confident that the buyer would have a watertight home in excellent condition.

While roof leaks are common enough, if you’ve gone through multiple roof repairs but are still dealing with a leak, a deck often is the culprit. However, if there is no deck, you could be looking at issues such as faulty window flashing, chimney issues, or even issues due to leaking downspouts or clogged rain gutters.

How To Protect Your Home From Water Damage

Water can wreak havoc on your home and cause tens of thousands of dollars of damage. Waterproofing experts, such as the team at Thome Waterproofing, can identify leak sources and repair the issue, but homeowner vigilance can ensure that small issues don’t turn into huge problems. Here are a few tips to help keep your home safe from water damage.

Gutters & Downspouts

Even a tiny leak in a gutter can cause water to seep into the structure of your home. We recommend having these drainage systems cleaned twice per year, before and after the rainy season.

It’s also crucial to ensure that your downspouts extend several feet away from your foundation so that water is directed well away from your home. Gutters and downspouts also should be inspected for leaking seams or rusty sections, which need to be replaced as quickly as possible.

Decks & Balconies

When a deck or balcony is built above an existing structure and not properly waterproofed, this can lead to enormous problems. As we talked about above, faulty flashing can be a big problem, but homeowners also need to schedule deck coating and balcony waterproofing services every few years.

At Thome Waterproofing, our team will not only provide you with quality deck coatings, but we also will inspect the structure carefully to identify any areas of concern. If your deck or balcony is not watertight, we may need to completely re-waterproof the deck.

This is a multi-step process that involves removing tile and examining the wood structure below the tile. We also remove stucco and inspect and possibly replace the flashing. We often find that flashing was not installed properly (or at all), and this is a huge issue.

Deck waterproofing also might include re-sloping the deck to ensure that water heads to drains in the center of the deck. The last step will be to apply a deck waterproof coating. Typically, we do not recommend placing tiles on top of this coating. Tiles can be beautiful, but tile and grout are not completely waterproof, and if there are any tiny cracks or pinholes, water can become trapped between the coating and the tile.

Waterproof deck coatings also are fairly flexible, which allows them to handle the expansion and contraction that occurs as weather conditions change. Tile is rigid, and this movement can cause cracking as well as cause the bonding to fail.

Additionally, tile (and grout) adds a significant amount of weight to a deck, and we find that many decks and balconies weren’t really engineered to handle that weight load. This can lead to sagging and structural stress, which can alter the slope of the deck, leading to water issues.

These days, we have so many amazing color options that a waterproof deck coating can be just as attractive as tile. We can provide you with decorative coatings that will enhance the look of your deck or balcony, as well as keep it watertight.

Keep in mind, if you have a wood deck or a concrete deck that is not built over existing structures, these still need proper waterproofing. If the deck meets the edge of your home’s structure, you will need to make sure there is proper ledger board flashing, and you will need to hire a professional waterproofing company every few years to provide wood deck coating services. This will help you avoid wood rot and make it easier to maintain and clean your deck.

If you have a concrete pool deck, we also can provide you with concrete pool deck coating, including non-skid and decorative coatings, which will extend the life of your pool deck and increase safety. Wood deck and concrete deck coatings need to be reapplied about every 3-5 years. Commercial decks, because of higher foot traffic, might need coatings more frequently than residential decks.

Windows & Doors

Windows and doors can be a huge source of water leaks, and homeowners must inspect these structures annually to check the caulking and weatherstripping. If you don’t have sill pans under your doors or proper flashing around windows, water can seep in easily, and not only will it damage your window or door, but it can also seep into walls and floors and cause significant structural damage.

Foundation Waterproofing

Water and foundations do not mix, and even small amounts of water intrusion can cause significant damage. Whether you are on a slab foundation or a crawlspace foundation, proper waterproofing is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that your structure is secure and to prevent issues such as mold growth.

If you are noticing any signs of water intrusion or perhaps noticing issues such as high levels of humidity, persistent musty smells or the growth of mildew and mold, contact our waterproofing contractors, and we will find the root of the problem and fix it.

We can provide any type of foundation and below grade waterproofing you might need, including blindside waterproofing and crawlspace waterproofing, and if you are a rare Los Angeles homeowner with a basement, we can provide basement waterproofing as well.

Got Leaks? Contact Thome Waterproofing Today!

If you have water damage and you cannot pinpoint the precise area of the leak, give our waterproofing contractors a call. We typically can locate even the hardest to find leaks and provide you with quality waterproofing services that will prevent future water damage. We serve residential and commercial clients throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and can provide you with leak detection and any type of waterproofing you might need.