When the warranty ends but the leaks begin

When the warranty period for a home's waterproofing ends, unseen leaks and dampness can arise, leading to costly repairs, according to a Malaysian homeowner survey. Nearly nine out of ten respondents whose defect liability period (DLP) had concluded faced waterproofing problems after the warranty expired. Nearly half of those affected spent over RM5,000 on repairs, while 14.2% paid more than RM10,000 to fix the issue.

More than three-quarters of homeowners required at least two attempts to resolve the problem, and 61.1% were uncertain if the initial repair was effective. Many experienced recurring issues or were unsure if the original repair worked. For those who encountered waterproofing troubles after the DLP ended, 76.3% reported these issues appearing within the first year or immediately afterward.

Common problem areas include external walls, bathrooms, balconies, and terraces, with warning signs including mold, damp walls, peeling or bubbling paint, ceiling stains, and cracks. These problems can spread beyond the original leak, causing interior damage, mould, hygiene issues, electrical risks, and structural damage.

Identifying the source of the leak can help reduce the risk of repeated repairs, as nearly half of affected homeowners struggled to determine the severity of the problem or its root cause. Choosing the right repair method and ensuring the price quoted is reasonable also posed challenges. As a result, many homeowners waited to act on the problem, only monitoring it or taking action once damage became visible inside the house.

HBA honorary secretary-general Chang Kim Loong advised homeowners to document defects early and ensure that repairs address the underlying cause rather than merely patching visible damage. The survey found that waterproofing issues affected daily life for 87.6% of respondents, causing damage to belongings, disruption to routines, stress, health concerns, and worries over property value.

Early detection, thorough documentation during the warranty period, and understanding where water is actually entering the property can help prevent a small defect from evolving into a much more expensive problem.