Leaking through fibre-cement cladding

Cause

Poor corner detailing

Repair

  • if water entry is through the cladding is suspected, employ a building surveyor to check the moisture levels of the structure
  • replace damaged boards
  • scrape or sand to remove deteriorating paint; prime; paint with a minimum two coats of semi-gloss or high gloss acrylic paint; cover joints and corners with galvanised steel soakers (metal covers) or timber cover boards
  • a building consent will be required for repair work where the cladding has failed to meet Building Code durability and weathertightness provisions
  • where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) building surveyor to report on the building

Cause

Cracked sheets/planks

Repair

  • if water entry is through the cladding is suspected, employ a building surveyor to check the moisture levels of the structure
  • replace damaged boards
  • a building consent will be required for repair work where the cladding has failed to meet Building Code durability and weathertightness provisions
  • where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) building surveyor to report on the building

Cause

Paint failure

Repair

  • if water entry is through the cladding is suspected, employ a building surveyor to check the moisture levels of the structure
  • scrape or sand to remove deteriorating paint; prime; paint with a minimum two coats of semi-gloss or high gloss acrylic paint; cover joints and corners with galvanised steel soakers (metal covers) or timber cover boards
  • a building consent will be required for repair work where the cladding has failed to meet Building Code durability and weathertightness provisions
  • where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) building surveyor to report on the building

Cause

No cap or saddle flashings at junctions of parapet and balcony walls 

Repair

  • if water entry is through the cladding is suspected, employ a building surveyor to check the moisture levels of the structure
  • remove weatherboards, install flashings as required, replace weatherboards
  • a building consent will be required for repair work where the cladding has failed to meet Building Code durability and weathertightness provisions
  • where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) building surveyor to report on the building

Cause

Junctions with other claddings and/or roof poorly detailed/constructed 

Repair

  • as for the first repair

Cause

Minimal jamb flange cover of aluminium windows

Repair

  • if water entry is through the cladding is suspected, employ a building surveyor to check the moisture levels of the structure
  • replace windows with windows that have larger jamb flanges or add facings to the existing windows
  • a building consent will be required for repair work where the cladding has failed to meet Building Code durability and weathertightness provisions
  • where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) building surveyor to report on the building

Cause

Damaged or missing jointers/soakers

Repair

  • if water entry is through the cladding is suspected, employ a building surveyor to check the moisture levels of the structure
  • cover joints and corners with galvanised steel soakers (metal covers) or timber cover boards
  • a building consent will be required for repair work where the cladding has failed to meet Building Code durability and weathertightness provisions
  • where it is suspected that the building may be leaking and there is a risk of damage behind the cladding, engage an experienced New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) building surveyor to report on the building