Noticed stains or bubbling render on your building? Water ingress is often the silent culprit – and it could be feeding a much bigger issue: concrete cancer. Get ahead of costly repairs by booking an expert inspection with CPR’s Scaffold-Free™ remediation team. Request your assessment today
Why Water Ingress Should Never Be Ignored
Water ingress and concrete cancer are two of the most insidious threats facing Sydney’s strata and commercial properties. They often work hand-in-hand, with one quietly paving the way for the other. While water ingress might start with minor cracks or deteriorating sealants, left unchecked, it accelerates corrosion in steel reinforcement – the defining cause of concrete cancer.
This isn’t new build territory, and it’s not DIY patch-repair territory either. This is remedial work – precise, regulated, and often urgent. The impact? Compromised safety, reduced asset value, and strained strata budgets.
The Hidden Cost of Water Ingress
Water ingress might seem harmless at first glance – a bit of damp, a few streaks on the façade. But what’s happening behind the scenes is far more dangerous:
- Moisture breaches render or sealant systems
- Trapped water rusts internal steel reinforcement
- Rust expands, fracturing the concrete from within
- Cracks widen and spalling accelerates
If your building’s exterior shows bubbling paint, staining, or small cracks, these are early warnings of structural deterioration. The earlier we assess, the more cost-effective the remedy.
Concrete Cancer from Water Ingress: Real Signs to Watch
Look out for these signs that may indicate deeper structural issues:
- Rust stains leaching from balconies, beams, or parapets
- Bubbling render or paint, especially after rain
- Exposed or rusting steel reinforcement
- Sound of hollow or crumbling concrete when tapped
- Hairline cracks on exposed surfaces
These signs mean one thing: the structure is being compromised from within. Concrete cancer spreads fast once water gets in – especially in Sydney’s humid, coastal environment.
Our Repair Approach: Quiet, Clean, Certified
Once we’ve confirmed damage, we deliver targeted, phased repairs using SkyPod® stations. That means:
- No scaffolding, minimal disruption
- Encapsulated, dust-controlled grinding and patching
- Seamless visual integration with original materials
- Full photographic evidence of each repair – before and after
Your residents stay comfortable, and your committee gets full visibility from day one.
Strata & Commercial Compliance in NSW
Strata committees and commercial property owners are legally responsible for the maintenance of common property, including façades. Delayed action on water ingress and concrete cancer may:
- Breach statutory repair duties
- Void insurance coverage
- Expose committees to liability claims
We help you stay ahead – not only with repair but with planning, compliance, and long-term preservation.
FAQs: What Strata Committees Need to Know
How quickly does water ingress lead to concrete cancer?
In some cases, damage begins within a single season. It depends on material type, exposure, and existing sealant condition.
Can we prevent water ingress without removing render?
Sometimes – but only after a detailed inspection. Surface sealers may help, but only if there’s no internal corrosion.
Does CPR handle waterproofing as well?
Yes – as part of our integrated remediation process, we provide waterproofing repair, façade sealing, and preventative coatings.
What’s the best time of year to inspect or repair?
Dry months (spring–early autumn) are ideal. But diagnosis and planning can happen year-round.
Can we use strata funds for these repairs?
Yes. CPR provides fully itemised scopes that support levy planning or special resolution approvals.
How CPR Diagnoses the Root Cause
Using our SFS360® (Sky Facade Scope 360™) system, we:
- Divide the entire façade into a detailed grid
- Access every drop point via rope-based Upseiling® and MARS™
- Document all defects using high-resolution imagery
- Assess severity, water ingress pathways, and concrete damage
All data is securely stored and transparently shared with your committee or building manager – mapped, annotated, and ready to inform repair planning.
Why CPR?
When it comes to façade preservation and repair, CPR brings unmatched precision and care:
- Specialists in difficult-access buildings across Sydney
- Scaffold-Free™ systems for efficient, low-impact work
- NCC and Australian Standards compliant methodology
- Full licencing, insurances, and trade-certified practitioners
- Trusted systems: MARS™, PEARS®, SkyPod®, and SFS360® diagnostics
We combine patented technology with deep experience to deliver safe, documented, and unobtrusive remediation for every stage of concrete cancer and water ingress damage.
Take Action Today – Don’t Let Water Ingress Undermine Your Building
Water ingress and concrete cancer won’t go away on their own. Every week counts.
Book your Scaffold-Free™ diagnostic inspection and take the first step towards protecting your building.
