A home inspection (bedek bayit) for leak detection matters enormously, whether it's done before buying an apartment, after you already own one, or during a renovation, a dispute with neighbors, or an insurance claim. Catching a leak early can make a huge difference down the road.
Dampness and leak problems that come up in a home inspection
Leaks are one of the most common construction defects. They develop gradually and can worsen into a genuine safety and health hazard. A defect that causes leaks may be hidden from view or plainly visible, but either way it's a situation you don't want to leave unresolved.
A home inspection and building inspection can catch leaks and dampness before they spread and cause further damage: rising humidity, mold and bacteria that harm health, bad odors, damage to furniture and insulation, a higher risk of allergies and illness, damage to the building materials themselves, or, at best, only cosmetic problems.
A thorough inspection traces the source, severity and extent of a leak, so professional waterproofing can be done in time and the problem stopped before it gets worse. An inspection to detect construction defects turns up leaks of every kind: from a gutter, an exterior wall or the roof, dampness coming in through balconies or from a neighbor's leak, and amateur waterproofing attempts on earlier leaks that never really worked.
How is a leak-detection inspection carried out?
An inspection can happen at different points in your life. Done before buying an apartment, one that turns up extensive defects and multiple waterproofing or leak problems affects the deal and the negotiation with the contractor or sellers.
Done on a property you already own, it can affect whether renovations are needed, an insurance claim, or your relationship with the neighbors. Either way, the most important reason to do it is your own safety.
Only an engineer who specializes in building inspection should carry it out, so you get a reliable, up-to-date picture of how extensive the leaks are, where they come from and how dangerous they are. A report from an experienced engineer lists every construction defect in the apartment, including cracks, leaks, and plumbing or sewage problems, and becomes the basis for what comes next: the renovations or repairs the apartment needs, as well as any dealings with its owners.
Every report also includes a cost estimate for the repairs, giving the owners, the contractor, the neighbors and anyone else involved a solid basis to act on. Legally, too, a home inspection is a clear, binding document that carries weight if a lawsuit is filed against an apartment owner or a contractor.
The engineers of Arad Bedek Bayit, led by building engineer Ron Arad, whom courts appoint as their own expert on construction defects. The company has been inspecting apartments and buildings since 2001. Engineer Ron Arad · More about the company