Moisture ingress literally means “the entrance of moisture”, so it is when moisture penetrates any product.  Slab edge dampness is simply when a slab edge is damp – however, this can be an entrance for water to the inside of the building which can cause water damage problems. Most slab edges are occasionally damp due to rain, garden watering, or by contact with the ground. In some cases, when this dampness is able to permeate from the outside to the inside (moisture ingress) it can affect the internal walls and/or finishes of a building. Indications of slab edge dampness include persistent dampness of the exposed face of the concrete slab/footing, efflorescence, drummy render (see above), pungent odours in floor coverings (ie. damp carpets), watermarks, mould growth, rusting and external paint blistering/peeling/bubbling. All aspects of planning, site excavation, construction and post-construction landscaping must be considered to minimise the risk of slab edge dampness and moisture ingress.