A damp mark is a problem to investigate. Before choosing a coating or product, it is necessary to understand where the water comes from and which building elements are involved.
Obra Lisboa assesses waterproofing enquiries in Greater Lisbon for roofs, terraces, balconies, façades and below-ground areas. The proposal is based on the affected area, the substrate, access and exposure conditions.
Request a waterproofing assessmentWhen this service may help
Contact us when you notice water ingress, recurring damp marks or deterioration around joints, edges and junctions between elements. Waterproofing may also be considered when renewing a roof, terrace or balcony.
Describe when the problem occurs, whether it changes with rainfall or use of the space, and which repairs have already been attempted. This information helps guide the assessment; a single photograph may not identify the source.
Elements and work to assess
The intervention may cover different areas, with a solution defined for each:
- Roofs: junctions, penetrations, joints and edge details.
- Terraces and balconies: substrate, existing paving, outlets, falls and junctions with walls or doors.
- Façades and walls: cracks, joints, finishes and identified points of water ingress.
- Below-ground areas: access to the element, condition of existing protection and the relationship with drainage.
Depending on the assessment, the proposal may include removal work, substrate preparation and repair, application of the specified system and reinstatement of the agreed finishes. The intervention area and any associated work should be clearly identified.
What needs to be clarified
Access to the source of the problem may differ from access to the visible damp mark indoors. Preparation should identify shared elements, adjoining properties and areas that need to be made available.
The system depends on the substrate and intended use. Work should follow the preparation, application and protection requirements for that system. Weather exposure, removal of existing finishes and any drainage work affect cost and the sequence of the intervention.
If opening-up work, testing or additional technical assessment is needed, its scope is identified before proceeding.
From observation to intervention
- Gather the history. Record symptoms, location, when they occur and previous repairs.
- Assess the area. Observe accessible elements and identify questions requiring further investigation.
- Define the solution. Agree the area, system, preparation and associated work.
- Carry out the contracted work. Coordinate access, application, junction details and protection of treated areas.
- Review the work and explain maintenance requirements. Record the specified checks and maintenance guidance for the installed system.
Checks and any testing should be defined for the intervention, without assuming that every situation requires the same procedure.
What to include in an assessment request
Tell us the location and affected element: roof, terrace, balcony, façade, wall or below-ground area. Include overview and detail photographs taken from accessible positions, and explain:
- Where the water or damp mark appears and when it started.
- Whether it relates to rainfall, use or another known event.
- The approximate area and existing finishes.
- Previous repairs and available documentation.
- Access arrangements and who can authorise the work.
- Whether occupied spaces or equipment require protection.
These details help us understand your request and identify any further information needed to prepare the proposal.
Related services
Enquiries across Greater Lisbon
We welcome enquiries for Lisbon, Oeiras, Cascais, Sintra, Amadora, Odivelas and Loures. Availability is assessed for each location, type of work and project stage.
View service areasFrequently asked questions
Can waterproofing solve every damp mark?
No. The cause needs to be identified: moisture can have different origins, including water ingress, condensation or contact with the ground. The intervention should address the identified situation. Where the available information is insufficient, further assessment is needed.
Does terrace paving always need to be removed?
This depends on the condition of existing layers, the substrate and the proposed solution. The assessment should establish what can remain, what needs to be removed and which finishes will be reinstated under the quotation.
Which waterproofing system will be used?
The system is selected for the element, substrate, exposure and use. The proposal should identify the solution and required preparation. Choosing an individual product without that information does not define the complete intervention.
Can the work take place in wet weather?
The programme must account for the application and protection conditions of the selected system. The assessment considers exposure and how work stages can be arranged. The timing of the work should take those conditions into account.
How is work in a shared residential building organised?
Identify the affected area, the person responsible for the enquiry and the access required. Where shared elements or several units are involved, information and applicable permissions should be coordinated with the building management before execution is agreed.
What care is needed after the work?
Follow the use and maintenance instructions for the installed system. Inspection of joints, junction details and drainage outlets should form part of maintenance appropriate to the element. New penetrations or alterations in the treated area should be assessed before proceeding.
Show us where the problem appears
Send the location, photographs and a brief description of when it occurs. Include access conditions and previous repairs.
Request a waterproofing assessment
