Water leaks in buildings: causes, diagnosis and no-dig solutions
Water leaks and humidity problems in buildings and condominiums are among the most common — and also the most difficult — issues to resolve permanently.
Very often, repairs are carried out where the stain or damage appears, but the problem returns, because the real cause of the leak is located elsewhere in the pipe system.
To solve leaks in a durable way, it is essential to understand what is happening inside the pipes before deciding on any type of intervention.
Why water leaks are difficult to identify
In buildings, water rarely appears exactly where the defect exists.
A crack in a vertical stack may show up as dampness on another floor, in a neighbouring apartment or on a common wall.
The most frequent causes include:
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cracks or fractures in ageing stacks
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deteriorated joints between pipe sections
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leaks in wastewater or rainwater systems
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irregular or poorly executed connections
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old pipework that has lost watertightness
In many cases, the visible leak is only the “symptom”, not the root cause.
Repairing without diagnosis: a common mistake
It is very common to attempt to solve leaks through:
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localised repairs
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surface sealing
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partial pipe replacement
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opening walls or ceilings
When these actions are carried out without internal diagnosis, there is a high risk of:
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failing to address the real cause
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spending money on unnecessary works
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seeing the leak return shortly afterwards
Before repairing, it is essential to see inside the pipes.
CCTV inspection: seeing inside the pipework
CCTV pipe inspection makes it possible to observe the real condition of stacks and drains from the inside, without opening walls or floors.
Using high-resolution cameras, it is possible to identify:
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cracks and fractures
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active leaks
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open or deteriorated joints
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pipe deformation
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obstructions and deposits
The inspection also allows approximate localisation of each defect, helping to understand its origin and impact.
CCTV inspection is often the turning point between trial-and-error and informed decisions.
What a good diagnosis should answer
For condominiums and property managers, an effective diagnosis should clearly answer questions such as:
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What is the real condition of the pipes?
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Where are the problems located?
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How serious is each defect?
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Can the issue be solved without invasive works?
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Is immediate intervention required, or can it be planned?
A clear technical report, supported by images and video, helps decision-making and avoids subjective interpretations.
Is it possible to solve leaks without major works?
In many cases, yes — but not in all cases.
When the overall structure of the pipe remains stable, it may be possible to use internal rehabilitation techniques, solving leaks and reinforcing the pipe from the inside, without demolition.
No-dig solutions may include:
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internal epoxy lining
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structural rehabilitation using liner systems, when technically appropriate
However, there are situations where traditional replacement is unavoidable.
This is why technical diagnosis is always the first step.
Water leaks in condominiums: decisions based on facts
In condominium settings, water leaks raise technical, financial and legal questions.
A clear diagnosis helps to:
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support decisions in condominium meetings
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technically justify the chosen solution
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reduce disputes between units
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plan phased interventions when necessary
More than “fixing the stain”, the goal should be to fix the cause.
The first step to solving water leaks permanently
Before any repair, replacement or construction work, it is essential to understand the real condition of the pipework.
CCTV inspection allows a recurring problem to be transformed into a technically sound decision — and, whenever possible, to choose less invasive and more durable solutions.
If you are facing water leaks in your building or condominium and need to understand the root cause, Revipox provides clear, technically grounded diagnostics focused on real solutions.
