Damp and leaks in single skin garage Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[Cyrill5]

Hi - Im looking for some advice. Recently put down some self levelling compound in detached garage, single skin. Before putting the SLC down I had noticed small amount of rain water coming under the personnel door but it didn't look like much but now it's come in covering half the garage.

Is it plausible the water is now more noticeable due to the SLC finish versus the rough concrete? Absorbent etc?

I can't see how putting SLC down could have caused the problem? I am not experienced in this type of stuff so advice appreciated.

If the leak is just more noticeable any ideas how I can find out what the problem is? House is only 2years old. As mentioned it is under the personnel door. I can't see where it's coming in whilst it's raining.

Many thanks
Cyrill

[stoneyboy]

Hi cyrill5
Presumably your door has a cill and this has been fitted ontop of your finished garage floor. If your SLC has a feathered edge along the cill then the SLC being non porous you would get the appearance of more water ingress.
Suggest you run a bead of silicone mastic along the floor/cill join and see if this reduces the problem.
Regards S

[Cyrill5]

Thanks for your reply. It is a raised door. I think you pointed me in the right direction. I noticed a reasonable size gap on one side of the cill, where it looks like rain is getting in.

Should I have somehow left a gap around the inner edge of the garage to avoid the moisture transferring to the flooring?

Would it be a bad idea to cost the exterior brick work with a water repellent?

Thanks again

[stoneyboy]

Hi cyrill5
If the only area causing problems is the door then there's not much to gain using silicone fluid on the outside.
Regards S

[Cyrill5]

I should have mentioned there is some moisture coming in at the base of the two exposed walls. Not much compared to the door but enough to get the rubber matting wet and then it hangs around

[stoneyboy]

Hi cyrill5
What you do will depend on the position of the DPC relative to the garage floor, whether there is a DPM in the floor and whether the walls are built direct onto the floor slab. If the walls are built on the slab (rather than on their own foundations) you will find it very difficult to stop water ingress.
Regards S