When looking for a new home or purchasing property a common term that often comes up is Weather tightness. So, what is Weathertightness? And what does that mean for a property?  Well, Weathertightness is looking at the structural design and materials of the building in relation to the ability of these for preventing water from penetrating the building. Having a property that is Weathertight prevents damage being caused by moisture ingress and hence, it makes it safe and healthy for the occupants.

Since the mid-1990s, thousands of homes were constructed in New Zealand with designs, details, materials and methods that led to properties being prone to water leakage.

Site and Risk Evaluation

New Zealand indeed has unique weather, sometimes high average wind speeds and sometimes heavy rainfall. The wind-driven rain and constant moisture can harm the exterior of a building. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm that the building is designed in accordance with the physical surroundings and local climate of a site. Determining a properties makeup is a crucial step to finding out if that specific design and material used is vulnerable to weather tightness failure.

Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the risk of a property or a building. Some common signs of moisture ingress include;

  1. 1. Ceiling lining sagging. ...
  2. 2. Screws and nails that are rusty. ...
  3. 3. Floor surfaces are warped. ...
  4. 4. Mould or fungi. ...
  5. 5. Musty smells. ...
  6. 6. Swollen materials. ...
  7. 7. Rotten or stained carpet. ...
  8. 8. Large cracks appearing.

A leaky building can have hidden internal framing behind walls that carry potential rot. Then dangerous mould can grow and cause structural problems, as well as causing several health problems.

What to do if you suspect a leaky building?

If you suspect that a property is facing weather tightness issues, you must inform the vendor and ask him/her to give evidence or expert advice showing there are no weather tightness concerns with the property. The evidence could be building reports, specialist weather-tightness reports, council files and a LIM report.

Expert advice will help to inform you about the potential risk so you can be aware of any potentially costly issues that may arise from a property not having good weather tightness. It is necessary to be aware and knowledgeable about potential weather tightness concerns and how to deal with them.