New Zealand winters can be harsh on our homes. Heavy rainfall can cause a number of problems around the home and in commercial buildings. Leaks are very common in the winter months and whilst getting the issue fixed by a professional is often the best approach, there are some great products to help you to stop leaks fast.
CRC Leak Stop is one of New Zealand’s most popular products when it comes to stopping leaks. Leak Stop offers an instant waterproofing sealant that can be applied in rain, snow, and even under water, sealing immediately with no fear of wash off. Bridging cracks and gaps up to 10mm in both WET and DRY conditions CRC Leak Stop provides superior flexibility, strength, and durability, perfect for almost every application.
We have also launched a new leak stop product to our range – CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal – which offers a flexible solution for hard-to-reach places. Like the original Leak Stop, Spray Seal is easy to use and provides a waterproof seal to most hard surfaces. The 360° spray system allows the can to be used at any angle, ideal for hard-to-reach places. Leak Stop Spray Seal comes in two options – a translucent and a white finish depending on the application.
Both CRC Leak Stop products can be used on the following surfaces:
- Gutters
- Skylights
- Chimney connections
- Ventilation pipes
- Ducts
- Sheet-metal covers
- Bitumen
- Vents
- Flashings
- Downpipes
- And many more
Detecting a leak in your home or workplace
Some leaks around the home or workplace are easier to detect than others. Dripping water is the most obvious sign on a leak, however, the early warning signs that you have a leak can be much more subtle.
Rainwater ingress is a term used to describe a situation where water enters a building, usually via an external defect. Known as water ingress of penetrative dampness, some of the main causes include:
- Blocked or defective guttering
- Perished mortar beds (pointing on brick buildings)
- Defective roof coverings
- High external ground level
- Blocked cavities within walls
Obviously, any leakage in and around the home is not good news and the longer this is left untreated, the worse the damage will get over time so early detection and treatment is crucial.
Here are six common signs of water ingress:
Wet patches
Sometimes a water leak isn’t as obvious as a drip from the ceiling. Often, a wet patch is as subtle as a slight discolouration of the paint. If you notice a patch of discolouration on your wall or ceiling, just run your hand over it to check for dampness.
Climbing into the loft space of your house every now and then, and feeling the insulation and beams for unusual dampness, can also help with the early detection of roof leaks.
Mould
Moulds are fungi that can grow on almost any surface where moisture is present. It is not unusual to find mould in rooms which are naturally moist, like bathrooms and laundries. But finding a new patch of mould in a dry area of your home or business is a good indication that water is somehow leaking in and creating unwanted dampness.
Stains
While wet patches are subtle and more difficult to spot, an area which has been repetitively wet and then dry, will eventually become stained. Staining of paintwork, upholstery, or flooring is obvious and easy to spot.
Musty smell
Mould smells and this smell is described as musty. Sometimes you can smell mould before you see it. A new musty smell indicates that you have unwanted moisture somewhere in your building.
Soft or flexible areas
Wood, plasterboard, and chipboard are absorbent materials, and over time, if they are permanently or frequently wet, they will become soft, flexible and saggy. This type of damage is usually related to a more significant leak or a leak that has existed for a longer duration.
Sound of dripping water
An unexplained dripping sound inside your building is often the first clue of an unwanted leak, especially if it occurs after or during a heavy downpour of rain. Do not ignore that sound, investigate it.
Obviously, the quicker a water leak into a residential or business building is identified, isolated and repaired, the less damage it will ultimately cause.
More damage means more expense, and when damage occurs over a gradually period of time, it will not be covered by New Zealand insurance providers.
This fantastic article, written by Stuff, does a great job of explaining the expectations of insurance companies when it comes to gradual damage of property: Homeowners are expected to pick up on gradual problems through their regular maintenance of the property, and so gradual damage to the property caused by unprepared areas of leaking would not usually be covered.
Common sites of water ingress and how CRC products can help
CRC Leak Stop and CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal are our easy-to-use products which provide a waterproof seal to almost any surface. Bridging gaps and cracks, these amazing sealants offer a flexible, durable, long-lasting solution to leaks.
Roofing
Corrugated/long run metal roofing is iconic of New Zealand housing. It is as durable as it is economic.
However, as an island nation, much of New Zealand enjoys the salty sea air, humidity, and rain. Unfortunately, these are the perfect conditions under which metal oxidises.
Over time, metal surfaces (including metal roofing) can suffer from corrosion. Holes in roofing are a common site of water ingress.
CRC Leak Stop is an instant waterproofing sealant which bridges cracks and gaps of up to 10mm. This makes it a perfect choice for repairing small holes in metal roofing.
Not only is this product perfect for use on metal roofing sheets, but it will work equally well to repair cracks and holes in roofing products made from asphalt, roofing felt, and bituminous waterproof sheeting.
Other high risk leak zones on roofs include any areas that have been cut to install a feature. Examples of this include damaged flashing around chimneys, worn weather sealing around skylights, and damaged flashing around vent pipes.
CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal is a perfect product to be used as a roof leak repair spray. This product provides a waterproof seal to almost any surface. It bridges gaps and cracks, and offers a flexible, durable, long-lasting solution to leaks. The 360° spray system allows the can to be used at any angle, which make it ideal for hard-to-reach places such as skylights, chimney connections, vents, and flashings.
Gutters
Leaking and damaged gutters can lead to water seeping through the surrounding structures of your building. Moisture can cause mould and mildew to grow and eventually this may cause the wood to rot.
CRC Leak Stop can be applied to large (up to 10mm) cracks and holes in guttering and downpipes, while it’s still raining! It seals immediately with no fear of wash off.
CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal is brilliant at repairing leaking cracked piping, or is great for sealing around connections in gutters and downpipes. It only takes Leak Stop 15-30min to be touch dry, and cures to a tough rubber-like finish after several days.
Walls
Water ingress through a building’s walls is reasonably common.
Any cracks in the brickwork or substrate are vulnerable areas. When heavy rain is driving towards these cracks, leaking can occur.
Both CRC Leak Stop and CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal can be used to repair monolithic cladding, plastered surfaces, concrete, wood, stone, and metal.
Both products offer outstanding flexibility, strength, and durability.
They are UV resistant & permanently waterproof. They adhere to most substrates, without the use of a primer, are extreme weather resistant, and with the Leak Stop cartridge, are tolerant of structural movements up to 10mm.
Windows
There are several problems that cause windows to leak water.
Cracks in the glazing or a lack of seal between the glass and window frame are only two examples of issues that can lead to water ingress in your property.
These examples are both issues that can be repaired with the CRC Leak Stop products. Both CRC Leak Stop and CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal adhere to glass, wood, and PVC.
CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal can be sprayed onto cracks in glazing, to render them watertight.
CRC Leak Stop could be used to fix loose glazing to the surrounding frame, stopping damp air and rainwater from permeating to the inside.
Frequently Asked Question – CRC Stops Leaks
When it comes to repairing and stopping leaks around the home and commercial buildings, there are lots of questions that we are frequently asked and lots of questions that people are searching for the answer for on Google. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to stopping leaks and leak repair sprays:
What is the best product for roof leaks?
CRC Leak Stop is one of the best products on the market when it comes to stopping leaks around the home. Whether you choose the original Leak Stop product which comes in a cartridge, or one litre can, or you choose the versatile Leak Stop Spray Seal, both will help you to repair a leaking roof fast, providing long last protection.
What do you spray on a leaking roof?
If you have a leaking roof and you want a fast, versatile solution, choose CRC Leak Stop Spray Seal. Spray Seal can be used to provide a waterproof seal to most hard surfaces including roofs. It is a fast-drying solution that can be used to seal hard-to-reach places thanks to its 360° spray system. Touch dry in 15-30 minutes, the surface will cure over several days, leaving a tough rubber-like finish.
Will roof sealant stop leaks?
Absolutely. When correctly applied, CRC Leak Stop will stop leaks on roofs fast. CRC Leak Stop has many benefits including:
- Outstanding flexibility, strength, and durability
- Highly versatile – Can be used in rain, and under water
- Seals immediately in all conditions
- UV resistant & permanently waterproof
- Silicone free
- Adheres to most substrates, dry and wet
- Adheres without primer
- Extreme weather resistant
- High elasticity - structural movements up to 10mm can be tolerated
If you have a leaking roof, reach for CRC Leak Stop and seal that leak today.
Why is my roof leaking when it rains?
There are many causes of leaking roofs and it is important to understand where the leak is coming from before you tackle the problem. Here are some of the common causes of rook leaks when it rains:
- Skylights – cutting a hole in your roof to accommodate a skylight can cause issues down the line. Poor installation or a poorly sealed skylight can cause leaks that spread out from the initial source
- Broken roof tiles – if you have a tiled roof, a crack in one of those tiles can lead to a leak in the roof that worsens over time.
- Rusty or blocked gutters – if the waters that collects in your gutters cannot drain correctly, then this can lead to issues with leaks as the water builds up and has nowhere to go.
- Chimneys – whilst less common in New Zealand, chimneys can be a common source of leaking roofs, typically when the flashings around the chimney deteriorates.
- Rusty roofs – inspecting your roof is not that easy and small rust patches can quickly deteriorate into a small hole which grows larger over time, causing leaks in the roof.
- Damaged flashings – where roof flashings have been used, these can deteriorate over time and if not maintained, can lead to leaking roofs.
How do you temporarily stop a roof leak?
Whilst CRC Leak Stop offers a permanent repair for a leaking roof, it is sometimes necessary to repair the damaged roof with a more permanent repair. If you have a rusted roof, cracked roof tile, or blocked gutters, it will be important to tackle these issues with a permanent repair rather than relying on a product like Leak Stop.
Can you seal a roof leak from the inside?
A roof leak can be fixed from the inside depending on the issue although it is more recommended to fix from the outside due to the pressure applied to the sealant when water comes through the damaged area.
It can sometimes be difficult to create a full seal from the inside, however, in most cases, once you identify where the leak is occurring and the water is entering the building, you can seal the leak from either the inside or the outside – although we would recommend sealing it from the outside ideally.
How long can you leave a leaking roof?
Ideally, the quicker you can identify a leak in your roof, the less damage it will cause to your property. Leaks can be left for a long time if they go unnoticed and this can lead to expensive repairs and extensive damage to your property. We recommend vigilance at all times, and if you suspect there may be a leak in your roof, tackle it sooner rather than later.
CRC Leak Stop Products
CRC Leak Stop Spray and CRC Leak Stop is available from many participating New Zealand retailers.
Check out our website to see a list of our stockists. Just click on each store to see which of our products they stock, and then pop in store to grab the item you are looking for.
Stay warm and dry this winter, and keep the rain outside, where it belongs!