Good evening,
We have purchased a condominium. The building is in the shell construction phase, meaning the interior walls are plastered, and the screeded floor is already installed. Our apartment is on the second floor, just below the penthouse unit with a large terrace. This terrace has a black surface coating, and for some time now, about 3cm (1 inch) of water has been standing across the entire terrace around the penthouse apartment due to rainfall. Over the weekend, we noticed that water is dripping from the ceiling in our future living room (which is located beneath the mentioned terrace). Is this really not a concern at this stage of construction? And how can we check whether it will fully dry out afterward? The water on the terrace is not being pumped off and seems likely to remain for some time.
Can anyone advise us on this?
Thank you very much!
We have purchased a condominium. The building is in the shell construction phase, meaning the interior walls are plastered, and the screeded floor is already installed. Our apartment is on the second floor, just below the penthouse unit with a large terrace. This terrace has a black surface coating, and for some time now, about 3cm (1 inch) of water has been standing across the entire terrace around the penthouse apartment due to rainfall. Over the weekend, we noticed that water is dripping from the ceiling in our future living room (which is located beneath the mentioned terrace). Is this really not a concern at this stage of construction? And how can we check whether it will fully dry out afterward? The water on the terrace is not being pumped off and seems likely to remain for some time.
Can anyone advise us on this?
Thank you very much!
M
MODERATOR31 May 2011 17:15Hello Ayona,
the black layer on the future terrace is a waterproofing membrane, likely bituminous based on the color. This waterproofing is probably damaged if water is dripping into the room below – this should not happen, especially since the floor seems to already be installed.
Furthermore, the fact that water is pooling indicates that there is still no functioning drainage system on the terrace. Normally, meaning properly planned and executed, the terrace floor is constructed with a slope towards a drain so that water flows away and does not accumulate. The designer may have intended to create the terrace floor slope with screed, which is likely still missing.
Submit a defect notification (claim for defects) to your contracting partner, ideally including photos showing water pooling on the terrace and water leaking through the ceiling.
Partially damp building components can be dried fairly well, but if the flooring is already in place, the floor covering will suffer damage from the moisture... this certainly needs to be inspected urgently by your contracting partner.
the black layer on the future terrace is a waterproofing membrane, likely bituminous based on the color. This waterproofing is probably damaged if water is dripping into the room below – this should not happen, especially since the floor seems to already be installed.
Furthermore, the fact that water is pooling indicates that there is still no functioning drainage system on the terrace. Normally, meaning properly planned and executed, the terrace floor is constructed with a slope towards a drain so that water flows away and does not accumulate. The designer may have intended to create the terrace floor slope with screed, which is likely still missing.
Submit a defect notification (claim for defects) to your contracting partner, ideally including photos showing water pooling on the terrace and water leaking through the ceiling.
Partially damp building components can be dried fairly well, but if the flooring is already in place, the floor covering will suffer damage from the moisture... this certainly needs to be inspected urgently by your contracting partner.
Hello Hertweck
Thank you very much for the quick response!!! The situation is that the construction on top of the parapet terrace is only at the stage where, after what I would call the standard shell construction, there is a black coating (tar??) applied, and then a thin dark (rubber??) membrane on top. The drains are installed – but since the entire terrace floor is not yet finished, they still protrude too much, so the water can’t drain properly. We visited again yesterday, and my husband and I have the feeling that something is dripping down right around this drain. I will take a photo of the drain so you can see exactly what it looks like (photo to follow!!). Below us, the underfloor heating and screed are installed. The ceiling below has a light blue sprayed concrete finish.
We also noticed yesterday that the adjacent building has the same problem: the terrace is the same height, but the ceiling in the apartment below there is plastered further (skimmed?). There, it also seems that the drains are leaking somewhat.
In response to my inquiry with the construction company, they said: “Regarding dripping water, I can reassure you. The building is not fully sealed yet, so this can happen. Once all the insulation is in place, this issue will be resolved.”
The only thing is – we are not experts, and I have to accept this answer and hope it’s correct.
By the way, the building is a 3-story block with a penthouse apartment and a 75m² (800ft²) terrace. Flat roof.
Thank you very much for your help and have a nice evening!!
Ayona
Thank you very much for the quick response!!! The situation is that the construction on top of the parapet terrace is only at the stage where, after what I would call the standard shell construction, there is a black coating (tar??) applied, and then a thin dark (rubber??) membrane on top. The drains are installed – but since the entire terrace floor is not yet finished, they still protrude too much, so the water can’t drain properly. We visited again yesterday, and my husband and I have the feeling that something is dripping down right around this drain. I will take a photo of the drain so you can see exactly what it looks like (photo to follow!!). Below us, the underfloor heating and screed are installed. The ceiling below has a light blue sprayed concrete finish.
We also noticed yesterday that the adjacent building has the same problem: the terrace is the same height, but the ceiling in the apartment below there is plastered further (skimmed?). There, it also seems that the drains are leaking somewhat.
In response to my inquiry with the construction company, they said: “Regarding dripping water, I can reassure you. The building is not fully sealed yet, so this can happen. Once all the insulation is in place, this issue will be resolved.”
The only thing is – we are not experts, and I have to accept this answer and hope it’s correct.
By the way, the building is a 3-story block with a penthouse apartment and a 75m² (800ft²) terrace. Flat roof.
Thank you very much for your help and have a nice evening!!
Ayona
Good morning Hertweck,
I am reaching out again because I am unsure how to proceed. The issue with the water is still unresolved—here’s the situation in detail:
I have found out that there is a vapor barrier on the upper terrace. Since the water cannot drain away, there is probably 3-4 cm (1-1.5 inches) of water sitting on the terrace. Meanwhile, water has been dripping down into our kitchen below for several days now. The floor has not been installed yet, but I am very concerned that the concrete ceiling may be damaged due to the constant water flow. Additionally, the building should be drying out by now, but this is not possible in these conditions. We are supposed to move in in less than 9 weeks. I have already informed the site management at Fortimo twice about the situation, but I have been dismissed quite bluntly—basically, we are told not to interfere.
How should I proceed? Should I send a registered letter including photos, so that we have evidence if defects occur later? I have been having sleepless nights over this...
Thank you very much!
Ayona
I am reaching out again because I am unsure how to proceed. The issue with the water is still unresolved—here’s the situation in detail:
I have found out that there is a vapor barrier on the upper terrace. Since the water cannot drain away, there is probably 3-4 cm (1-1.5 inches) of water sitting on the terrace. Meanwhile, water has been dripping down into our kitchen below for several days now. The floor has not been installed yet, but I am very concerned that the concrete ceiling may be damaged due to the constant water flow. Additionally, the building should be drying out by now, but this is not possible in these conditions. We are supposed to move in in less than 9 weeks. I have already informed the site management at Fortimo twice about the situation, but I have been dismissed quite bluntly—basically, we are told not to interfere.
How should I proceed? Should I send a registered letter including photos, so that we have evidence if defects occur later? I have been having sleepless nights over this...
Thank you very much!
Ayona
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