SIGNS OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY HIDDEN WATER LEAKS

9/1/2019 (Permalink)

Hidden water damage can cause major problems in your home

If undetected and left untreated, a hidden water leak in your property can become very costly, especially if it leads to extensive damage to your walls and flooring.   There are subtle signs you can look for in your home to determine if you need a plumber to fix those leaking fixtures and pipes before things get worse. When you have a substantial leak you need a certified remediation company, such as SERVPRO, to help you clean up the damage.

BLISTERING PAINT

One sign of a hidden leak, ensuring the need for professional water removal, is a wall which has blistering wallpaper or paint. Typically, mere steam from hot showers in your home should not cause this to happen. When water and moisture get between the paint and the wall, they stop the bond and begin to separate the two, making the paint peel away from the wall and fall off in small pieces. It is the same sign with wallpaper.

WARPED OR STAINED WALL

A wall which is warped or stained for no apparent reason is a clear sign of a plumbing leak. Drywall becomes soft and starts to bubble when it is exposed to moisture, eventually warping and breaking up into pieces. If the leak reaches your ceiling, it will sag and could leak some of the accumulated water, causing more damage to your home.

BUCKLED, CRACKED OR SQUISHY FLOORING

At times, your flooring may be damaged as well if the leak was severe enough, causing cracking, staining or buckling. Moisture can make your floor feel soft or squishy depending upon the material content. In these cases, you often find a damp subfloor as well. If the problem is found quickly, our SERVPRO technicians can dry and salvage it without causing a costly replacement.  However, if the water has caused damage to the subfloor as well, it may require new subfloor.

At SERVPRO, our technicians have specialized tools such as moisture meters to locate any hidden moisture and leaks in your property and to remove any accumulation of water from those leaks.  Once we determine what is causing the leak, then we’re able to address and fix the problem, and eliminate the water with the use of industrial pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers. Quickly drying your home is important to avoid the growth of mold. Once your home is dry again, then repairs can be made, including replacing any damaged drywall and flooring.

If you believe you may have a hidden leak, please give us a call.  We’re always here to help.