A whole-block headache
We were called to a Sliema apartment complex by the condominium association about leaks pooling near the garage ramp. We started ground-up—literally.
Floor-by-floor detective work
Apartment by apartment, we used thermal imaging (for cold spots/tracks) and acoustic listening (for active flow). At ground level, cold zones clustered around the vertical shafts. Opening the shafts showed water with a downward travel pattern—likely from above.
As we climbed, the same picture repeated: water arriving from higher floors.
The “aha”: drains missing the hopper
On Level 5, we discovered the kitchen drain wasn’t discharging into the hopper—water was spilling into the shaft instead of the pipework. Several AC drain lines were also missing the hopper, adding to the issue.
Another contributor: a leaky light-well
We also found that the shaft terminating by the garage ramp wasn’t properly sealed—we could literally see torchlight through gaps. That allowed stray water to escape at the bottom where residents noticed it most.
Recommendations we issued
- Realign all kitchen and AC drains to discharge into the hopper—no exceptions.
- Seal the shaft properly from top to bottom to prevent bypass and weeping.
These two steps should stop both leaks at the garage ramp. For shared buildings, our [Leak Detection] and [Leak Repairs] teams can coordinate with administrators to plan fixes with minimal disruption. Leak Detection Malta
