How to prevent water damage in your Bali Villa

Water damage in walls is a serious problem that can lead to a number of health and safety issues and might result in costly repairs if not addressed properly - it’s probably the most common, frustrating and expensive issue in building or renting a villa in Bali and in this article we’ll show you how to spot signs of water damage in existing buildings and prevent it in a new build.

Now, the best way to prevent wall damage from water is to be proactive and take steps to keep your home dry (or use building materials that are naturally water resistant). But what if you have water damage already? How can you tell?

If you suspect that your walls might be suffering from water damage, you want to look at the signs first and then take precautionary steps to prevent further damage.

Signs of water damage in walls (common in Bali villas)

Generally, water damages come in through a leaky roof, a plumbing problem, or high humidity. There are some signs that you can look for which might indicate water damage inside your walls:

Discoloration or staining of the wall materials

Water damage can cause stains or discoloration on walls, often appearing as yellow, brown, or black marks. These marks may be more noticeable on lighter-colored walls and may get worse over time if not addressed.

Peeling paint or wallpaper

Moistures seeping into the wall or ceiling can make paints and wallpapers peel or blister. That said, these peelings could also appear due to using the wrong type of paint or wallpaper for the surface or not preparing the surface properly before applying the coating, so it’s crucial that you look at the legitimate cause thoroughly.

Cracks or bulges in the wall surface

If water has seeped into a wall, it can cause the material to warp or bulge and might be more noticeable on flat surfaces, such as ceilings and walls that aren’t straight.

Mold and mildew growth

Mold growth on the wall surface can lead to a severe problem, causing health issues and damaging the structure of your building. The mold usually appears almost like a powder and, in some cases, may occur in spots.

A musty smell coming from the wall

A musty smell or a pungent odor in your house could come from organic compounds due to the excess moisture in your air or building materials. Typically it’s going to be around the areas of your air conditioner, under your sinks and bathroom areas, but it also could just be in your walls or behind your baseboards and not visible to the naked eye.

Water running in the wall

You can put your ear against the wall and listen for the sound of dripping or running water in the wall, provided there’s no one taking showers and no tap water or washing machines are running, and notice if there’s any sound coming from the wall.

Wet drywall and insulations

If your building is equipped with drywalls and insulation materials, the easiest way to indicate water leakage is to look for any damp spots (or black spots) on those materials.

How to find the water leak in your house

If you’ve concluded that you do have a water leak in your house, there are several steps you can take to try to locate the source of the leak:

Inspect the roof

Look for any missing, damaged, or loose shingles, as well as leaks in the flashing strips or any other sealants that seal the joints between your roof and your walls.

Check the plumbing

Look for any visible signs of plumbing leaks, such as water stains or puddles on the floor, and also check thoroughly under your sinks, behind the toilet, and between spaces you don’t usually pay attention to.

Examine the walls and ceilings

Pay particular attention to areas around your windows and doors, as these are common for water leaks.

Test the water meter

To check for hidden leaks, turn off all the water in your house, ensure no one is using any water, and then check the water meter. If the meter is still moving, it could indicate a leak somewhere in the plumbing.

How to stop water leakage from your walls

There are a few things you can do to stop water from leaking in your walls:

Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and in good condition

Gutters and downspouts are essential to your home’s drainage system, as they help channel water away from the foundation and prevent water damage.

Here’s how you can make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear and in good condition:

Remove any leaves, twigs, or other debris blocking the gutters. This can typically be done with a ladder, a pair of gloves, and a small shovel.
Look for any signs of water leaks, such as stains or discoloration, and then inspect the gutters and downspouts for any dents, holes, or rust.
Ensure that the downspouts are correctly attached to the house and are not clogged. Otherwise, you may need to use a pipe cleaner or other tool to remove the blockage.

Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation or walls

To prevent water from entering your home through cracks or holes in your foundation or walls, you can seal them with hydraulic cement or caulk.

Hydraulic cement is a fast-setting cement that’s specifically designed to repair cracks or holes in concrete and masonry surfaces. It is a good choice for sealing cracks or holes in your foundation, as it is resistant to water and can withstand the pressure of the soil around your foundation.

Caulk is a flexible, waterproof sealant that’s used to seal gaps and joints around windows, doors, and other openings. It is a good choice for sealing cracks or holes in walls, as it is easy to apply and can be painted over once it has dried.

Here’s how you can seal a crack or hole with hydraulic cement or caulk:

Remove any dirt or debris from the crack or hole, and use a brush or vacuum to clean the area.
Then follow the instructions on the product to mix and apply the hydraulic cement or caulk. Use a putty knife or caulking gun to smooth the sealant into the crack or hole.
Allow the sealant to dry according to the time recommended on the product label. Once it’s dry, it should be resistant to water and able to withstand the pressure of the soil around your foundation.

Install a French drain around the perimeter of your home

The French drain is a type of drainage system typically installed around a home’s perimeter to prevent water from accumulating near the foundation and causing water damage.

Here’s how you can install a French drain around the perimeter of your home:

Install the French drain at least a meter from the foundation to allow for proper drainage.
Use a shovel or other digging tool to excavate a trench about 30cm wide and deep.
Lay the drain pipe in the trench and make sure it slopes slightly downward towards your preferred drainage area.
Now fill the trench with gravel and cover the drain pipe completely. The gravel will help to filter out any dirt or debris that may enter the drain pipe and also help to improve drainage.
Once the drain pipe and gravel are in place, cover the trench with soil or sod to blend in with the surrounding area.

Make sure that your landscaping slopes are away from your foundation

Your landscape should always be sloping downwards as you move away from your house foundation to help channel water away from your home.

Here’s how you can properly design landscaping slopes away from your foundation:

Find out the slope of your landscaping and identify any areas that need to be adjusted. If necessary, use a shovel or other digging tool to adjust the slope of your landscaping. Make sure that the ground slopes away from the foundation at a rate of at least 1 inch per foot.
Once you’ve adjusted the slope and added drainage features, you can plant grass or other ground cover to help hold the soil in place and improve the appearance of your yard.

Building a new house or villa in Bali? Use water-resistant concrete to prevent water leaking

When you’re considering building a new project, or renovating an existing one the most foolproof method to preventing future water damage is using water resistant building materials from the start.

GreenBlocks are made using geopolymer concrete with a much lower water absorption rate and mold-resistant properties that are crucial in a tropical climate where water damage can be a significant building problem.

When you’re using building materials with a high water absorbsion, you’re always going to fighting the natural environment to keep your building dry - so the obvious solution is to use materials that are inherently water resistant.

EcoCrete is a dry geopolymer concrete that is by far known as the most versatile material for waterproofing applications with longer durability compared with other concrete materials.

Conclusion

If you suspect that you have water damage in your walls, the first thing you should do is call a professional for an assessment and to let them determine the extent of the damage and recommend the best course of action for repair. In some cases, sealing up the cracks and holes in the wall may be enough to stop further damage. However, in other cases, more extensive repairs may be necessary, including waterproofing your concrete slabs and walls from the ground up, which traditionally can be costly, time-consuming, and often messy.

With EcoCrete, you can trust that you’re using the dryest materials possible that will last without fail for many years to come, and no longer have to worry about constant repairs or water leakage into your home or business.