Water damage in walls can occur suddenly or it can take place over a long period of time without you even noticing. That’s because the cause of water damage in walls is usually a leaking pipe. However, water can penetrate your walls due to an overflowing sink or bathtub, a defective washing machine, and even heavy rain.
Water damage, no matter how minor it may seem, can lead to serious problems. For example, you may have to deal with mold issues, wood rot, and structural damage. If you notice or even suspect water damage on walls, it’s vital that you take action immediately. Therefore, it’s important that you know what to look for so you can contact a water damage restoration company to repair it in order to protect your home from serious damage and costly repairs.
Signs of Water Damage in Walls
There are a number of signs that should alert you about possible water damage in your walls. Firstly, it’s a good idea to do periodic inspections of the interior (and exterior) walls of your home to ensure that you notice any signs of damage that may warrant a closer look and repairs. Some of the most common signs of water damage that you should keep an eye out for are:
Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
If you notice peeling, bubbling, or flaking paint/wallpaper, you need to investigate the possibility of water damage. As most homes in Columbia, SC, have drywall for their interior walls or ceilings, the moisture within your walls/ceilings will be drawn or absorbed through the surface. This will cause paint or wallpaper to peel off the surface of the wall. Keep in mind that any source of water damage near drywall surfaces can spread quickly and easily due to the absorbent nature of drywall.
Stains or Discolorations on Walls or Ceilings
If you notice stains or yellow-brown discolorations on your walls and ceilings then it can be a strong indication of water damage within and around your walls. Don’t assume that these stains are something old that has dried up and ignore them by painting them. Painting over stains won’t fix your problem. In fact, the stains will most likely resurface through the new paint and your water damage will get worse.
When you notice such warning signs, you need to act fast and contact water damage cleanup specialists who can repair the damages and restore your home.
Soft, Swollen, or Warped Walls
Soft, swollen, or warped walls/ceilings are strong indications that you have water damage in your walls. You need to address this right away, especially if you notice a sagging ceiling since there is a possibility of collapse and additional damage. Drywall is extremely absorbent and can lead to serious damage and costly repairs if you don’t notify water damage restoration experts.
Musty Smell
Sometimes you may notice a musty smell without actually seeing mold or mildew. This could be because you have water damage within your home’s walls which has led to the growth of mold. We don’t always see mold since it tends to grow in moist, dark conditions and can have as a food source material such as wood, drywall, paper, or fabrics. If you have noticed a musty smell in your house, try to determine where it coming from. Locating the area where the smell is coming from may also help in locating the hidden water damage.
Testing for Water Leaks
If you have any of the signs of water damage we discussed, you need to contact a local water damage restoration company to investigate further. However, you can also check for leaking pipes by turning off all taps, appliances, toilet tanks, or any other types of water tanks within your home. Then you should go to your water meter and write down the usage statistics. After waiting about 2-3 hours check your water meter again. If your water meter shows that there has been an increase in the usage statistics you noted earlier then you most likely have a leaking pipe somewhere in your home.
Contact Water Damage Restoration Experts
Water damage can cause serious and costly issues if it is ignored. If you believe you have water damage, you should contact professionals who specialize in water damage restoration. You need to repair the source of your water damage and ensure that a proper and thorough restoration is performed by experts.
You can depend on Biotek Environmental, Inc. to provide you with professional water damage restoration services in NC, Georgia, and SC, including Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg. We can give you peace of mind, and also save you money on water damage and flood repair. We will work diligently to protect your home and family from the serious health risks of water damage. Call us toll-free at 866-630-7340 any time of the day or night, 365 days a year, or contact us online now.
