Not every leak is a burst pipe. In penthouses and top-floor apartments, water ingress often comes from terraces, roof details, drain outlets, air-conditioning discharge pipes or waterproofing failures.
The confusing part is that the damage may appear indoors or in the property below, so the first assumption is often a plumbing leak.
Signs that point toward terrace or roof ingress
- Damage appears after rain or after terrace washing.
- The stain follows an external wall or corridor line.
- Water appears below a roof, balcony or open terrace.
- Drain covers, outlets or waterproofing details look poorly sealed.
- Thermal patterns suggest moisture spread under tiled areas.
How the inspection should work
The inside of the property still needs checking. Bathrooms, pipe routes and adjacent rooms should be ruled in or out. Once internal plumbing signs are weak, the inspection can move to the terrace or roof path.
Thermal imaging can help identify cooler or warmer zones linked to moisture, but it needs context. The final recommendation may involve targeted opening, waterproofing work, drainage correction or roof maintenance.
What helps when booking the inspection
Before booking, note where the indoor stain appears, what terrace or roof area sits above it, whether drain outlets or AC drain routes are nearby, and whether a neighbour’s ceiling is affected. Also mention whether the problem appears after rain, shower use, washing the terrace or continuously.