Brick wall leak troubleshooting questions & answers.

This article series describes the diagnosis & repair of leaks in structural or solid brick building walls.

Q&A on Structural Brick Wall Leaks

These questions & answers about diagnosing and fixing leaks in structural brick walls were posted originally at x - be sure to review the advice given there.

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On 2019-05-13 by Candice W - We have water coming into our house from the outside in area where water pools.

Thank you!

On 2019-05-13 by (mod) -

Sure Candice,

Besides a careful inspection outside for points of water entry, from inside you can use a moisture meter, pin type in drywall or electronic type if the wall is solid masonry - map the moisture levels.

If the water is coming down from higher on the wall you may see high moisture levels higher on the wall; if the water is coming from foundation or slab level you'd see moisture principally close to the floor.

I'm assuming there's no basement nor crawl area to inspect.

See moisture meter options at MOISTURE METER STUDY

On 2019-05-13 by Candice W

We have water coming into our house from the outside in area where water pools. In the adjacent area inside the house, the floor is wet along the wall. Is there any way that we can tell if the water is coming in due to foundation issues or if it is due to a leak in the exterior brick wall?

Thank you

On 2019-03-30 by (mod) - issues around sealing brick wall leaks at a condo

If you're in a freezing climate there could be further damage to what looks like a brick veneer

Watch out: inspect more carefully the whole exterior to be sure that there isn't a brick veneer wall buckling, leaning, separating failure going on - such couild be dangerous if bricks fall on someone. Or worse.

On 2019-03-30 by Steff

Here's the other side of it where the contractor thinks water is getting in. Proposed sealing all of this which I want to do. Fighting the condo association to move forward with this. What are the potential implications of doing nothing at all? I want to move forward with fixing but need all on board. Thank you.

On 2019-03-30 by Steff

Here's a better picture.

On 2019-03-30 by (mod) -

Rotted wood sills under the door or wall (if present), mold contamination, attraction to wood destroying insects.

On 2019-03-30 by Steff

Water is getting into the brick wall of the unit and this is developing. Condo association owners aren't interested in fixing this, however I am as this is my unit. What are the potential implications for not addressing this issue? There is no sealing on the other side between the wall/ibeams etc and presume this is where the water is coming from.

On 2019-02-05 by (mod) - water coming in the house after a heavy rain

(Jan 13, 2019) (mod) said:
Francis,

Having inspected a lot of buildings and sometimes tried to inspect difficult-to access areas and from precarious positions, I'm of a mixed mind about your suggestion of trying to inspect the facade for leaks using a smartphone camera and a selfie stick.

Certainly there are drone inspection cameras as well as lengthy selfie sticks that can give some useful information but that are probably insufficient IF the leak point is subtle; in any event the risk of dropping a cellphone and camera many stories down onto someone's head would make me a bit scared to try the latter.


[delete] (Jan 8, 2019) Francis Barker said:
I am on the Board of a NYC condo, and we have facade leak and deterioration issues on the 33-35th floors that we need to assess in detail.

Our suspected leak area is fairly small -- not more than 20 feet long and 3-4 feet high. It is accessible from apartment windows.

I see reports of using drones and h-def smartphones/cameras to inspect and record more remote brickwork like water towers -- without hanging a scaffold.

Are there technologies/tools and providers who can do the same thing with a hi-def smartphone on a stick (super "selfie stick"?) extended out an apartment window, and record and view the footage real time? What might that be called in the trade so I can search further?

On 2017-09-17 by Greg

I have an issue with water coming in the house after a heavy rain where the wind blows the water on the wall around some windows. Who do I need to get to fix the issue?

On 2017-02-02 by (mod) -

Thanks for the nice comment, Jennifer.

We work hard to provide researched, unbiased data, so I'm really pleased when a reader finds our information useful. When questions arise and if you can't find the information you need by searching InspectApedia.com, just post a comment-question on a relevant page.
Daniel

On 2017-02-01 by Jennifer

omg! So glad I found this site! moved into my mother's home when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's

along with another one of my sisters we are in charge of taking care of the house we are on a limited income and so many things keep going wrong it makes me want to run away house feels like a LEAD weight tied to me

I'm so glad I found this site I will keep reading to get a better understanding before posing a question just so glad you are here was such a good information. thanks a ton!

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