Water damage on your home is not always obvious. A water stained ceiling or wet carpet is a red flag, but hidden water behind your wall will quietly compromise the structural integrity of your home, as well as a breeding ground for more hazards. Unchecked, this trapped moisture can trigger costly repairs, mold and drywall problems. What are some of the wall water damage warning signs to watch out for?
Common Causes of Hidden Water Damage
Your home is at risk for water intrusion from numerous areas such as cracked plumbing, leaky roof, overflows in plumbing fixtures, damaged foundation or in the case of storm damage. A dripping pipe as minimal as the one found in your faucet can lead to extensive damage within your walls simply by allowing the passage of time. Since the leak itself is invisible to the homeowner or renter they’re unaware of what has been occurring for many long months.
Signs Your Walls May Have Hidden Water Damage
1. Discolored Walls or Paint
Water damage on painted walls may first manifest as yellow, dark, or brownish spots on the surface. In some cases, you may see bubbling, peeling or blisters in your paint as water seeps behind it.
2. Soft or Warped Drywall
Proper drywall should be hard to the touch. If the walls feel soft, bulge out, and sag in places, then moisture has probably already caused internal damage within the board. This is a common drywall damage and one that should not be ignored due to water issues persist.
3. Musty Odors
Constant musty odors normally indicate an excess amount of moisture. Water that accumulates within the walls encourages mold inside walls growth regardless if no mold is visible on the exterior.
4. Unexpected Increase in Humidity
Excessive walls moisture can also result in certain room being unusually damp, wet, or Humid . This occurs especially if it is located at the proximity to the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and basement.
5. Visible Mold Growth
When you can see Mold on the sideboards, walls or frames near window and door openings, it could only be indicating a large problem right beneath the drywall that is behind it, and these concerns needs the hands of a professional before things just got worse.
Why Professional Water Damage Inspection Matters
Not all moisture issues are apparent from looking. A professional water damage inspection utilizes instruments that are sure to detect the presence of hidden moisture within a building’s structure before substantial damage occurs. Certified professionals are equipped to locate water sources utilizing moisture meters, thermal imaging, and humidity level testers without undertaking an excessive level of disruptive demolition. These sophisticated tools ensure that the professional restoration team can efficiently establish a source of damage and take the best course for restoration.
What Happens If Hidden Water Damage Is Ignored?
Failure to notice hidden water damage could cause…
- Walls to deteriorate
- Significant drywall and plaster damage
- Mold and mildew spread inside your walls
- Higher repair expenses
- Poor indoor air quality
- Damage to electrical components and insulation
Conclusion
Don’t put a bandaid on water damage in your home at Move Fast Restoration. We are the expert water damage inspectors who will quickly get a water detection & water removal job completed for you and we service the entire Baltimore region. We utilize state-of-the-art technology without intrusive destruction and pinpoint moisture inside your walls that could cause a fortune to be repaired by way of building damage & black mold! If you have any symptoms of indoor home moisture, call us right now – you will thank yourself!
