Scary Signs Of Water Damage In Walls …

One of the most common problems that homeowners encounter is water damage to walls. You may notice discoloration on your ceiling, an odor of mildew or mold, or water dripping from the ceiling during rainstorms or when you’re showering or taking a bath. If you experience any of these signs of water damage in your walls, then it’s essential to fix the issue right away before it causes more damage to your home and potentially causes health problems too. Here are several signs of Water Damage in Walls and what you can do about it.

Dampness on the Floor

All too often, walls become damaged due to a water source. Dampness on the floor can be a sure sign of water damage in your walls, as moisture will seep through and eventually show up on the ground. You may also notice that there is condensation or wet spots on your wall, which is also a sign of water damage. If you hear or see dampness but cannot find its source, this could indicate that you have an area in the wall where it’s leaking from.

Puckering Wallpaper

Has wallpaper in your home started to curl up or pucker? This can be a sign that water has gotten behind your wallpaper and is causing it to detach from the wall. If you remove it, you may see bubbling underneath, which is another sign of water damage. To fix puckering wallpaper, first, you’ll need to locate any leaks and repair them before re-attaching your wallpaper. You can use adhesives like wallpaper paste or even liquid nails to stick your wallpaper back on the wall.

Mold Spots on Walls

The first sign of water damage that you may notice is mold spots on your walls. Mold starts to form after a certain amount of time when water seeps through cracks in the surface and stays there long enough for it to grow and flourish. If you see these, inspect your house immediately. It could be anywhere from a few hours up to months before mold begins to show.

Seepage From Gutters

Water can seep into the walls from the gutter, basement, and attic. The exterior foundation is one potential source of damage, but the water may enter elsewhere in the house. Peeling paint and crumbling stucco are telltale signs that there is water damage lurking behind the surface. Cracks around windows and door frames, as well as cracks along wall joints, are also red flags that hidden moisture might be causing rot to spread quickly.

Condensation on Windows

This is the first warning sign that you may have water damage. The moist air will make it very difficult to see outside. Windows may be foggy or stained, the seals around the windows may be damaged and mold or mildew may grow on them. When you do spot condensation on windows, you must clean it off immediately to avoid health risks from mold and mildew. Mold can pose a huge health risk for individuals with allergies or breathing difficulties such as asthma.

Wet Ceilings and Roofs

If you see water stains on your ceiling or roof and aren’t sure if it is from a leak, but the water does not appear to be coming from the outside of your home, then you may leak into your attic. Go up into the attic and check for pools of water. If you find any pools then you will need to contact a professional to locate and fix the source of the leak.

Dry Drain Problems

Unseen water can lead to a variety of problems including discoloration, corrosion, and mold. The most common place for water to get into your house is through the exterior wall. This can be caused by storm damage or a burst pipe in the basement that leads to hidden water damage behind drywall. The appearance alone may not show there’s an issue but other telltale signs might point you in the right direction.

Dirtiness Around Taps

If your wall appears to be dirty near a tap it could be a sign that water has penetrated the wall and started the process of decomposing materials. It may not even look like dirt. It will most likely resemble mold or some other type of fungus growth on a surface that is wet. Any staining or discoloration where there should be none is worth investigating further as soon as possible.

Condensation between drywall panels

Condensation between drywall panels, which is visible as a white-to-green, foggy line along the joints, is a telltale sign that moisture has gotten into your home’s wallboard and there’s a good chance it won’t go away on its own. This most often happens when high humidity conditions cause condensation on the cool wall surface. It could also be an indication of leaky pipes or steam from a water heater, so you’ll want to contact an expert to make sure. It might not seem like much but this one problem can lead to bigger issues down the road if left untreated. The main thing you can do is keep your home well-ventilated and sealed properly so no air or water can get in during humid weather.

Structural cracks

The most obvious sign of water damage is cracking in your walls, ceilings, or foundation. Cracks that are greater than one-quarter inch wide and vertical cracks that move up from a horizontal crack could be signs of foundation movement due to excess moisture seeping into your home’s crawl space or basement. Seek an expert opinion from a structural engineer to determine if any repairs are needed, as you don’t want to cause further damage if you don’t have to.

Bulging drywall seams

When water has infiltrated the inside of your walls, it will begin to seep through the cracks, causing the drywall to bulge outwards and buckle at seams or other openings where paint is beginning to peel off and chips can be seen underneath. If you notice these signs of water damage in your walls, have a professional inspect them as soon as possible.

Sticking doors and windows

One of the first signs is a sticking door or window, which can be a sign that wood is rotting on the frame and opening up gaps. Doors and windows are one of the ways water can enter your house, so it’s important to examine them as soon as you notice they’re sticking. The cause might be something as simple as an accumulation of dust and grime, but if you don’t do anything about it the rot will continue to spread until the door falls off its hinges.

Small changes in color

Whether you have experienced a leak or flood, take note of small changes in color or paint as these could be indications that your wall is wet or has been damaged from water. To find out for sure, cut into the drywall with a utility knife to see if there are wet patches behind it. You may also see water stains on your ceiling or above the window where water is entering through the roof.

Drywall Bubbles

Drywall bubbles are often indicative of water damage in your walls and can be fixed through a variety of methods, including cutting away the damaged area and replacing it with a new piece or patching it with fiberglass tape, fiberglass cloth, or commercial waterproofing material. Make sure to use screws that are corrosion-resistant or coated with porcelain enamel as this will prevent moisture from spreading behind the board once you’ve finished your repairs.

The most common causes of water damage to your walls.

When dealing with water damage, it’s important to understand the most common causes of it so that you can prevent them from happening again in the future. Here are some of the most common causes of water damage to your walls.

Leaky tap

One common cause of a leaky tap is an old-fashioned washer, which might have worn out over time. While this may not seem like such a big deal, that dripping sound could be gradually weakening the structure of your walls. If you suspect that this is the culprit, all you need to do is unscrew the tap handle and replace it with a new one. It will prevent any more moisture from getting in and causing problems down the line.

Burst pipe

A burst pipe may seem like a nightmare, but it’s one of the more common causes for significant water damage. Usually these incidents can be detected by hearing gurgling noises from pipes or by noticing stains on the floor. Fortunately, these events can be mitigated by shutting off the main valve before the situation gets worse. However, if not dealt with promptly, this leak could grow and worsen, causing extensive water and structural damage to other parts of your home.

Flooding

Dealing with flooding is one of the worst things that can happen, not only because of the personal possessions you’ve lost and cleanup required, but also because it can cause water damage to other parts of your home. The longer you wait to fix it, the worse the problem becomes. In some cases, a flood can compromise structural integrity or cause mold growth or other health concerns.

Remediate Water Damage in Your Home

There are several effective ways to remediate the problem, so you can put the wet mess behind you and get back to life as usual as quickly as possible. To help you decide which option will work best for your particular situation, here are some options for how to remediate water damage in your home.

Air drying

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to remediate water damage is by letting the items air dry. If there is a chance that you may need those items again, do not place them in an area with a heat source as this can create mold or other hazards. Air drying typically takes about two weeks for most household objects such as clothing, books, food and dishes.

Wicking away moisture with towels

Wring out old, clean towels and line them up on the wet area. Lay them overlapping with gaps so that air can circulate underneath. Wipe upwards against the direction of the water flow for about five minutes until all moisture is gone.

Using desiccants

If you can remove the water or flooding, a handy trick is to use desiccants such as kitty litter, silica gel packets, and even a dry foodsaver bag. Place one of these in every corner of the room where the flood was. All three will help draw out moisture from flooded carpets, rugs, floors, and furniture.

Hot air machines and dehumidifiers

One way to stop water damage from getting worse is to have a trained professional come and use equipment such as dehumidifiers or hot air machines. This will dry out your home and eliminate the chance of mold spores growing. These units are connected by a hose so they can be placed where they are needed most. They can also be used at different levels of wetness within the house or office, drying floors, carpets, furniture, bookshelves, etc.

Contractors

One of the most common reasons for water damage is sewer or drain backups, which is often caused by broken pipes. For this reason, some of the best ways to remediate water damage are those that involve cleaning drains and fixing broken pipes. Sewer experts can use chemical treatments or devices like electric corkscrews to clear drains when flooding occurs; plumbers can unclog backed-up plumbing lines using plunger-like equipment known as snake devices.

Conclusion

That said, don’t let any uncertainty stop you from seeking help. Calling a professional may seem daunting, but when it comes to water damage, the longer you wait, the more damage there is and the more costly and time-consuming the repair process will be. You can find contractors on websites or by contacting your insurance company. And if all else fails, contact your local plumber or electrician for recommendations.