That’s an excellent question 💧 — because water seepage & dampness is a very common problem in Delhi NCR (Burari, North Delhi, and old builder floors especially). If not handled properly, it can damage wardrobes, false ceilings, paint, and even modular kitchens within a year.
Here’s how a good interior designer should handle it:
✅ Steps to Handle Seepage Before Interiors
1. Root Cause Check
- Seepage can come from:
- Leaking bathroom pipes / joints.
- Rainwater through external walls.
- Terrace/roof cracks.
- Ground-level rising damp (common in basements).
- A designer should call in a civil/plumbing expert before starting finishes.
2. Treatment Before Interiors
- Wall Treatment:
- Scrape off damaged plaster → apply waterproofing chemicals (Dr. Fixit, Asian Paints SmartCare, Fosroc).
- Replaster with waterproof mortar.
- Floor/Tile Treatment:
- For bathrooms/kitchens, use cementitious waterproofing layers below tiles.
- External Wall Coating:
- Apply elastomeric waterproof exterior paint (Asian Apex Ultima Protek, Nerolac Excel).
- Roof/Terrace:
- Chemical waterproofing + tiling / membrane layers.
3. Protecting Interiors
- Use BWR/Marine Plywood or HDHMR boards for kitchens & wardrobes near damp areas.
- Avoid MDF/particle board in ground floors or damp walls.
- Provide air gaps or skirting for wardrobes so they don’t touch damp walls directly.
- Add PVC edge banding or aluminium profiles for extra moisture protection.
4. Ventilation & Maintenance
- Ensure good cross-ventilation and exhaust fans in kitchens/bathrooms.
- Suggest dehumidifiers in basements or very damp flats.
- Regularly check terrace/bathroom joints every monsoon.
⚠️ Red Flags
- Designer ignores seepage and just paints over it → problem reappears in 3–6 months.
- Using MDF/particle board near damp walls → will swell and warp quickly.
- No written waterproofing stage in BOQ.
💡 Pro Tip for You
When finalizing with a designer, insist on:
- Seepage check before design starts.
- Waterproofing clause in BOQ (so it’s not skipped).
- Warranty on waterproofing work (usually 5 years from brands like Dr. Fixit / Asian Paints).
👉 Would you like me to create a “Waterproofing Checklist” (step-by-step treatments + materials to demand), so you can give it to your interior designer and ensure seepage is properly solved before interiors begin?