When you think of water damage, your walls might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, your walls are often one of the most common areas that suffer damage as a result of flooding, a leak, or another type of water loss. Some of the signs of damage are easy to spot, like mold growth or peeling paint. But others can be harder to spot until the damage is at a severe point. If you can find Moisture in the Walls, Call the Water Damage Restoration company right away.
The earlier you can address any type of moisture in the walls, the better. Damage can spread quickly if not addressed promptly, often leading to more extensive damage and expensive repairs.
Why Moisture in Your Walls is an Issue
Moisture in the walls can put your safety and your property at risk. Think about the materials your walls are made of. Wood and gypsum are the materials used in dry walls and are susceptible to rot. If moisture makes its way into these soft materials, it could weaken the structure of your home or office’s frame or drywall. The results could be dangerous for you and expensive to repair.
Not only can moisture weaken your home or business’s structure, but it can also promote mold growth. A wall can provide nearly everything mold needs to grow and spread—it just needs a source of moisture. As it spreads, mold can compromise the health of your indoor environment.
Ways to Find out Moisture In the Walls
1. Damp Patches in Lower Walls
Are you seeing large patches of damage on the lower parts of your walls? This is known as rising damp, and it’s a common source of structural damage in buildings. Rising dampness is typically the result of a damaged damp-proof course, poor drainage, or bad subfloor ventilation. If this part of the wall continues to be damp, it can damage wallpaper, spur mold growth, or lead to blistering.
2. Musty Odors
Is there a strong, musty odor emitting from your walls? What you’re probably smelling (and not seeing) is water damage somewhere in your walls. It could come from damaged insulation, a crawlspace, or from molding materials. Either way, the smell won’t vanish, nor will the health of your indoor environment improve until the water leak and resulting damage are fixed.
3. Visible Mold or Mildew
Mold doesn’t just leave a musty odor behind; it usually appears as small blotches of green, black, white, and various other colors. It takes about 24 to 48 hours for mold to grow and begin spreading on surfaces like drywall. Not only is it unsightly, but mold and mildew promote an unhealthy indoor environment and can contribute to a deteriorating structure. That makes it more important to have it taken care of by a professional immediately. You’ll usually see mold in basement areas and crawl spaces. Wherever and whenever you see it, reach out for mold remediation.
4. Bubbling or Peeling Wallpaper or Paint
If a large portion of your wall is exposed to water or moisture, it can cause the wall to expand. This can cause cracks in the wall that lead to drywall bubbling or paint peeling and flaking. Don’t ignore this sign or try to fix it by simply painting over the cracks. If you fix the source of the water damage first, you could save yourself from a larger and more costly repair down the line.
5. Administer a Moisture Meter
As you’ve probably noticed, most of the causes of moisture in the walls start from the inside. So what can you do to identify the problem before it gets out of hand? Use a moisture meter. This device can give you a moisture reading from within your walls. All you need to do is purchase a meter, make a small incision in your wall using a screwdriver or knife, and slide the meter inside the wall.
Bonus: Increase in Your Water Bill
Is your water bill unexpectedly high this month? The culprit could be a water leak somewhere on your property. If you’re not seeing pools of water anywhere then the leak could be happening somewhere not so easily seen—like behind your walls. The longer it’s left unrepaired, the longer you’ll deal with higher water bills and the potential for damage.
Trusted Water Damage Restoration Services in Tampa Bay
As soon as you notice one or more signs of water damage in your property, immediately call DRIRITE® for water damage restoration in Tampa, FL. Water damage can cause delays and disruptions to your day-to-day operations, affecting your bottom line in more ways than one. But if you act quickly enough, you can avoid worsening damage and save yourself from downtime. We know water damage events often happen when you least expect it. That’s why we keep our lines open 24/7 and arrive on-site within an hour.
Call us or contact us online to start the process of getting your property back to its former glory.
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Campbell is a highly experienced professional specializing in structural drying, mold remediation, and environmental consulting. With certifications such as OSHA HAZWOPER, council-certified microbial remediator, and state of Florida licensed mold remediator, he offers tailored solutions to clients at DriRite. With specialized training from the IICRC, Mike is equipped with advanced skills in categories such as applied structural drying, commercial drying, and water damage restoration. This expertise allows him to deliver comprehensive and effective solutions to water-related issues. His dedication to providing exceptional service and expertise makes him a valuable resource in the field.
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