Sealant failure is often gradual and easy to overlook until water damage appears. Common signs include cracking, shrinkage, loss of adhesion, discolouration and hardening. In Sydney's eastern suburbs and beachfront locations, salt exposure accelerates these issues.
Look for gaps at window perimeters, particularly along sills where water pools. Check expansion joints in podium decks and plaza levels for voids or tearing. Inspect curtain wall mullions for sealant that has pulled away from glass or aluminium.
Internal evidence includes water stains on ceilings, peeling paint near windows, mould growth in reveals and damp carpet in perimeter offices. By the time these symptoms appear, water has often been entering for months, causing hidden structural damage.
Proactive inspection and early resealing cost a fraction of reactive repairs. Strata managers in Chatswood, Parramatta and Bondi Junction report significant savings when facade sealing is included in planned maintenance rather than deferred until leaks occur.