How to Seal the Water Leaks from Ceiling?

17 May 2013

Introduction

Staying in high-rise buildings will have this problem of water leakages from the ceiling.  The water from the upstair neighbour can find its way to your apartment.  It will bring social as well as heath problems if it is not solved.  This article will present a way.

Why  the Water Leak?

Concretes are porous and sometimes,  there are crack lines caused by concrete spallings and water can find its way through these crack lines.

What are the Solution?

The best solution is to talk it over with your neighbours to track the cause of the leaks;  sometimes,  it is caused by choked drain and sometimes,  by pipe leaks especially if the neighbours have the pipes  embedded in the walls.  Negotiate a way to repair the water leaks.

The alternative not as good is to seal the ceiling to make it water and air tight on spots or areas where leaks were found. 

The author used both methods above  to prevent the recurrence of ceiling water leak for over few years now.  This article will discuss how to seal the ceiling.

What you will need?

1.  Light weight board such as polystyrene board

2.  Matching color silicone glue with glue gun

3.  Double sided tapes for building work

Of course,  one  will need a  ladder to reach the ceiling to place the board.

Step by Step

1)  Clean the ceiling at areas where the light weight board will stick to the ceiling;

2)  Place the double sided tape on all edges leaving about 10 mm from the edges;

3)  Use the glue gun and place silicone glue in the centre of 10 mm space between all the edge and the double sided tape;

 

Now one is ready to stick the board to the ceiling and left with the last step

4)  Squeeze some more silicon glue at the edges using glue gun and seal the edges all round;  smoothen out the left over glue to complete the job

Why?

The double sided tape will hold the board onto ceiling as well as to provide the first water seal;  then the seal is reinforced by silicone glue to give a water and air tight space between the board and ceiling.   This air tight space will resist water entering unless the air inside the space escaped or replaced by water.

Will the Air inside the Space Escape?

The air will escape when the crack line is big.  Fortunately,  most concrete crack line are small and quickly filled up with water which will prevent the air inside the sealed space from escaping.

Isn't Polystyrene Foam Board Toxic?

 
Foam insulation board should not be left exposed in building interiors.  Most building regulations will require the forms to be protected with fire rated materials; they may give off thick acrid or toxic black smoke in a fire, making it difficult to safely exit the burning building.  Therefore, be careful not to use too much foam insulated materials without fire protection.