6 Signs of Water Damage in Walls

9/21/2020 (Permalink)

This water damaged wall in a Meriden home caused mold growth and damage to the hardwood floors.

When your home has a water leak, you think you would notice it right away. Unfortunately, a slow leak in your walls can cause major structural damage without you noticing for months. In fact, many homeowners don't realize that paint bubbling on walls is water damage! Learning the common signs of leaks behind walls can help prevent the need for a large water damage restoration project.

6 Signs of Water Damaged Walls

1. Musty Odors
2. Water Stains
3. Bubbling or Chipping Paint
4. Warped Walls
5. Buckling Floors and Ceilings
6. Visible Mold Growth

Musty Odors

If an area of your home smells like an old, damp basement - it's a sign there could be a hidden water leak or mold and mildew growing. Excess moisture and water leaks produce a musty smell when absorbing into the wood, drywall, or sheetrock in your home over time. An odor is enough to inspect for signs of a water leak behind a wall before visible signs also arise.

Water Stains

If you have a leaking pipe, water will seep into the drywall or sheetrock of interior walls and cause visible discoloration. If the source of water is not fixed, this discoloration will continue to grow and darken in color. Eventually, the water spot may even begin to grow mold.

Bubbling or Chipping Paint

Consistent moisture may cause paint to bubble or chip as it absorbs into the wall. When you see issues with wallpaper or paint - don't assume the issue will simply be resolved by a cosmetic fix. Be sure to check for leaks or moisture before painting over the problem.

Warped Walls

If drywall or sheetrock absorb an excessive amount of water from a leak, the wall may begin to visibly bend and buckle. When pressing on the damaged area, you may notice that the wall is soft and spongey to the touch, indicating the wall has rotted out from water damage. This is a clear indication of a water leak and should be handled as soon as possible to prevent further structural deterioration.

Buckling Floors and Ceilings

Buckling of floors or ceilings occurs when water has penetrated the subfloor or wood of floors and ceilings. This may cause part of the floor to buckle up, sag, or sink as it softens from excessive moisture. This sign of water damage is very serious and should be taken care of as soon as possible.

Visible Mold Growth

Mold grows in moist, high humidity areas of your home like the basement, bathroom, or under a leaky sink. If you notice mold growth on walls, ceilings, or baseboards - it's a huge sign that there is excessive moisture in the wall behind it. Mold can grow in as little as 48 hours after being exposed to moisture.

Why are Water Damaged Walls Cause For Alarm?

When you have a hidden water leak in your home, it can cause serious structural damage and mold issues before the problem is found. This may result in you needing extensive water damage restoration services to dry out walls, remove wet materials, as well as reconstructive services to put everything back together. Knowing the signs of water damage behind walls can help mitigate the need for extensive repairs in the future.

What To Do When You Find Wall Water Damage

If you find any of these signs of a hidden water leak in your home, the first thing you should do is find the source of the water or moisture. If you believe it is from a leaking pipe, call a plumber to fix the issue as soon as possible. You can also remove drywall and inspect the source of your damages yourself before calling a plumber, in case it is an issue you can fix yourself.

Once the source of your problem is fixed, you should file an insurance claim and call a water damage restoration company to inspect damages, extract water, begin the drying process, and sanitize the damaged areas. These companies can also handle any mold remediation as needed from the leak.

Water Damage? Call SERVPRO - 800-734-3213

SERVPRO of Meriden is a 24/7 damage restoration service specializing in water, fire, mold and COVID-19. Whatever the damage, we're here to make it "Like it never even happened."