SERVPRO of Metairie outlines the signs of water leaks in walls

1/25/2023 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Metairie explains the signs that indicate water leakages in walls and the effective steps to handle the situation.

While faulty plumbing is a common source of leaks, other sources include rainfall seeping into the walls and foundation cracks that allow water to seep through. Long-term leaks can damage the structural integrity of your walls and cause mold growth.

Finding leaks in walls can help minimize damages and save you money on repairs in the long term.

With this in mind, the water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Metairie, a leading water damage restoration company in Jefferson, have outlined the following signs of water leakage in your wall.

1. Steady musty odors

If your flooring and sheetrock remain damp and start to smell like wet cardboard, then water may be slowly dropping from a leaking pipe within the wall. The steady musty odor it emits can be used to detect any concealed leaks.

Since structural materials can hold water like a sponge, you should dry the whole area to eliminate any soaked moisture.

2. Presence of mold in unusual areas

Wet spaces like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens are where mold typically thrives. The presence of mold on your walls or baseboards in other parts of the house is a sign of hidden water leaks.

A restoration firm that offers certified mold removal and treatment should always handle any mold patches larger than a few square feet.

3. Sheetrock warping

A slow leak can cause sheetrock to soak up moisture over time, which can result in the wall developing bends and curves.

Soaked drywall can bow and collapse due to wet walls that droop or curve outward, indicating structural problems.

4. Slippery floors and buckled ceilings

You shouldn't rule out persistent wetness inside the walls if the ceilings or flooring in your bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms start to show structural issues. The neighboring framing, floors, and ceilings can be impacted by wet sheetrock.

5. Wet patches

Although wet patches are unmistakable evidence of water damage to walls, they don’t necessarily indicate where the issue is. Water can enter a pipe and leave wet marks on the wall underneath the leak.

6. Damp flooring

This sign is often evident on kitchen floors but is less visible in carpeted areas. Touch the carpet fibers if a spot adjacent to a wall seems darker. You probably have a wall leak if the walls are moist.

Hot water pipes leaking within the walls are frequently the source of wet flooring that feels warm to the touch.

7. Damp window sills

Wet window sills and frames might be signs of leaky pipes inside the wall. As water drops from a leak, it gathers on the undersides, sill surfaces, and frame edges.

8. Rainfall sounds

Typically, the sound of water dripping comes from inside walls. The plinking sound is generally heard after turning off a sink, bathtub, or shower faucet. You could hear the sound after flushing the toilet. Ensure to call a water damage expert to inspect and fix any damages.

9. Increasing water charges

According to the EPA, a single individual consumes more than 80 gallons of water per day. The average family uses 300 gallons each day. An unusual increase in your water bill can be due to leakages in your wall.

Get professional water damage restoration in Jefferson

SERVPRO of Metairie is a local leader in water damage restoration in Jefferson, LA. They have a team of IICRC-certified specialists available round the clock to provide professional water damage restoration services to help you mitigate the impact of the disaster and restore your property fast.

In addition to their comprehensive water damage restoration strategies, their cleanup and restoration services will enable you to return to your home or place of business quickly. Their team can instantly mobilize and will be there an hour or two after you call them.

Call them at (504) 496-0193 to get a free quote.