GUIDE / WATERPROOFING
The ponding test.
Water tells the truth.
A visible stain shows where water has been. A ponding test asks a harder question: does the waterproofing hold when water sits on the floor? Here is how the test works and what to confirm before requesting one.
01 / HOW IT WORKS
Retain. Wait.
Observe.
A ponding test checks the waterproofing of a floor — typically a bathroom, balcony or other wet area — by temporarily blocking the drainage, retaining a shallow layer of water across the floor, and then observing over a period of time whether leakage, damp patches or drips appear below or around the tested area, such as on the ceiling of the room or unit underneath.
Because water can take hours to find its way through a defect, the water is usually left standing for an extended period before the areas below are checked. The result is recorded with photographs: where water was retained, for how long, and what was observed afterwards.
02 / WHAT IT NEEDS
More than
a visual check.
- Working water supply at the property — confirm utilities are connected before the visit.
- Time: the water must stand long enough for leakage to show, so the test takes longer than a visual inspection and may need a return visit.
- Access: checking for leakage below can mean access to the unit or area underneath, which in a condominium often needs building-management permission and the neighbour's cooperation.
- Agreement in writing: whether a ponding test is offered for your property, and whether it is included or charged separately, is an item to settle in your quotation.
03 / THE LIMITS
What a test can
and cannot say.
A ponding test observes whether leakage appears under test conditions during the test period. It does not locate the exact failure point inside the floor build-up, and a dry result during the test is not a lifetime guarantee of the waterproofing system. Where leakage is found, identifying the cause and the repair method may need a waterproofing specialist.
During the defect liability period, documented ponding test results give you clear, dated evidence to submit to your developer — see our defect liability period guide.
Worried about leaks?
Tell us about your bathrooms and balconies when you request your quotation, and ask whether a ponding test suits your property.
Discuss a ponding test