Making sense of the difference between water ingress and water egress is pretty easy – ingress is water coming into your home; water egress is water exiting your property. That being said, it’s important to understand the potential causes so you can avoid water damage or liability arising from your property.

Common signs that you have water ingress is the development of mould and damp patches on walls and floors. Paint and plaster may start to peel and there may also be a damp smell.

Water ingress

As mentioned above, water ingress is when water infiltrates a property. This term can also be used to describe the penetrating damp that can permeate some properties.

Common signs that you have water ingress is the development of mould and damp patches on walls and floors. Paint and plaster may start to peel and there may also be a damp smell.

Water ingress through brickwork

Providing that the right grade of brick has been used and installed correctly, bricks tend to be waterproof. That said, if any have cracked, or the mortar between them is damaged, you may suffer water ingress via the brickwork.

Rising damp can also occur, with moisture wicking up from the ground through the bricks, causing water ingress. Most modern properties are built with a damp course, which prevents the water from rising, but if this becomes damaged, it could allow water through.

Cracked render is also a likely culprit for allowing water to seep into a property, as are damaged cavity walls.

Water ingress through roofs, doors and windows

One of the most common causes of water ingress is through a damaged roof, door or window. Either they have shifted over time, which is common in older properties, or have been damaged by the weather creating cracks and gaps.

It’s also possible that damaged or cracked lintels can allow water into the property.

Water ingress in basements

Basements can be especially problematic as they’re more prone to flooding than other rooms. Even basements that haven’t flooded can be a source of water ingress due to improper waterproofing.

It’s important to make sure you properly waterproof your basement to prevent water ingress and damp spreading throughout your home. Ideally you want two separate forms of tanking to protect your basement, which should be covered by Insurance-Backed Guarantees (IBGs).

Water ingress from leaks

Leaks are a common way for water to seep into your home, causing damage. This can be due to defective plumbing or pipework. If you notice a leak, it’s crucial that you fix it right away because the longer you wait, the more damage it can cause.

It’s also worth mentioning that water ingress can also cause humidity in your home too. Damp air can have some pretty serious side effects. Prolonged exposure to high levels can reduce lung function and cause chronic health issues such as asthma.

Water egress

Water egress can be a little less straightforward to understand. Simply put, water egress is water coming out of the property. In practice, this typically refers to the drainage of water from your property.

Water egress drainage is an important part of a home, but defective drainage can be seriously detrimental to your property and is often the reason for water damage.

While the difference between water ingress and egress is simple, it’s important that your property is covered for both.

Want to learn more?

At One Guarantee we can provide 10-year structural warranty policies to protect your home against unexpected defects. To find out more, get in touch with our warranty team or you can call 01603 218288 or email us.