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Indicators of Water Damage Behind Walls

Indicators Of Water Damage Behind Walls

How To Find Water Damage

Water damage can occur in areas that are hard to see. It can be under the flooring, behind the walls, or even on ceilings. But how can a homeowner, or a home buyer get clued in about potential trouble behind walls?

Home improvement website DoItYourself.com has shared information on how to check for water damage behind walls. In their write-up, they mentioned that checking for water damage in walls is easier compared to other areas in the house.Ā 

ā€œThe easiest sign of water damage to spot is water stains on the walls and ceilings. Also check around the window and door frames for stains. Any unusual stains should be taken seriously, as they could be a sign of a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall. Also look for cracks in the drywall. An area of wall that has been exposed to water can also have a swollen appearance and be soft to the touch.ā€

Moisture in walls

The website SF Gate meanwhile shared techniques on how to determine if there is moisture behind walls. In one of their web posts, they mentioned that although moisture inside the home may be inevitable, it should never be behind the walls as it will cause structural issues that could even harm the health and general wellness of the members of the household.

ā€œLook at the wall surface carefully. Check for surface discoloration, such as yellowing material, rounded brown spots or black, often furry-looking discolorations that indicate mold and mildew growths. Pay close attention to the wall texture. Peeling paint is a prime indicator of moisture problems, along with warping or buckling surfaces. Push on the wall slightly to see how it feels. Moisture-damaged drywall will feel soft and spongy, while wood-sheathed walls may feel slightly solid even with a moisture problem.ā€

How to detect water damage on walls

True Value Projects came up with a guide on how to detect water damage on walls, and for experienced homeowners, they too shared some information on how to try restoring it.

ā€œSometimes it will be obvious that you have water leaking either behind your walls or onto the ceiling from above. The ceiling or walls may show visible signs of moisture, dripping water, or signs of failing structural integrity. Ceiling drywall panels may sag or crumble under the weight of water that saturates the naturally porous gypsum material. Other times, you may notice small signs like coffee-colored stains that may expand over time. Before making any repairs, you need to find the source of the water leak. This can be frustrating, but if you donā€™t fix the source of the water problem first, repairs will do you no good.ā€

Read the rest of the guideĀ here.

Damaged paint or wallpaper

Another good water damage indicator is damaged paint or wallpaper. Such was an example shared by Third Party Service Ratings Website Angieā€™s List as it listed down ways how to spot water damage in the bathroom.

ā€œA wall with blistering paint or wallpaper is another sign of bathroom leaks. In most cases, steam from the occasional hot shower shouldnā€™t cause paint or wallpaper to come loose. When water and moisture get between the wall and paint, they eliminate the bond and begin to separate the two, causing the paint to rise from the wall and fall off in pieces. The same goes for wallpaper: The adhesive used to bond the paper to the wall becomes less sticky and the paper begins to come loose.ā€

Smell the wall

Homeguides SF Gate also provided tips that would indicate that there is water damage on the wall. One of the ways to check, as shared in their article, is to sniff the walling to check for possible moisture.

ā€œSmell the wall to test for moisture. When the interior of a wall gets wet, itā€™s the perfect environment for mildew and mold to grow: itā€™s dark, itā€™s moist and thereā€™s plenty of food available for the fungus. The more moisture, the quicker the mold and the ensuing wood rot occurs. If the wall smells musty, itā€™s a sure sign of a problem. Sometimes, removing the faceplate from a wall outlet to get your nose closer to the wall interior will help you identify the problem more quickly.”

Take a look at the rest of the tips from the original write-upĀ here.

Spotting minor water damage on walls can be a bit tricky. But when armed with the right information, destruction brought about by water damage can be avoided.

Shower wall trouble

Home improvement website TheSpruce.com meanwhile discussed water damage in shower walls. In their article they mentioned how this could be determined and what can be done about it.

ā€œMany leaks begin at the bottom of your shower wall where the tiling meets the top of the shower pan or floor. Begin your assessment of the shower here. Moldy, discolored grout, loose tiles, and peeling caulk are signs that moisture could be affecting the area behind your shower wall.”

Water damage between walls can cause rotting, structural problems and mold growth.

San Diego Water Damage Restoration

If you recently experiencedĀ flood damageĀ orĀ water damage, the team at SuperDry is here to help.Ā Contact us todayĀ to get started restoring your home or business.

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