Symptoms of Hidden Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage can cause significant long-term problems in a home. It can lead to the breakdown of construction materials (wood, plywood, subflooring, etc.), structural issues for the house, and health problems for you and your family.

The sooner you get water damage properly treated, the better. That’s because water problems – and the damage they cause – typically get worse over time.

However, water damage isn’t always immediately visible. If water is coming into your home from the outside or you have a leaky pipe, you may not see the water itself. So, you’ll need to keep an eye out for hidden signs of water damage. Here are five things to watch for.

Mold Growth

Mold can grow very quickly in the right conditions. These conditions include damp, wet or humid environments. If you see mold growing, there is water present.

Mold always damages the materials it infests, and some types of mold can be hazardous to humans. If you encounter mold, you’ll need to handle the situation quickly and with care. 

You can avoid significant problems by having a professional handle the situation. Water damage restoration may be required in cases where mold has caused serious damage to your property.

Stained Walls & Ceilings

Water from leaks in pipes and rooves can cause stains on your walls or ceilings. However, it is often difficult to determine the actual source of the moisture because water can travel along rafters or piping for long distances before dropping onto your ceiling.

It’s important to resolve the water issue before you fix the stains. Otherwise, even after you’ve painted or repaired the walls or ceiling, the problem will continue, and your hard work will be for nothing.

Peeling Wall Paint

Peeling paint can also be one of the signs of water damage in walls . When drywall is exposed to significant moisture, this moisture can cause the paint to lift off the wall. 

If you notice peeling or flaking paint, there’s a good chance of excess water in your walls. Considering drywall absorbs moisture, you should have it inspected by a professional. Dampness can spread across walls quite quickly.

Warping Walls or Floors

Wood and laminate floors are particularly susceptible to water damage. If you see warping, cupping, splitting, cracking or other visible damage, water is likely underneath your floors. Even tile and vinyl floors can suffer from water damage.

The same is true for walls. Warped walls can be a very serious problem. An emergency water damage service may be required in these cases, as such issues can cause significant structural damage to your home. 

Unpleasant Odor

You may not always be able to see water damage, but you might smell it. If you notice an unexpected musty smell, it’s likely due to water. This smell is caused by water being absorbed into wood or drywall. 

It can sometimes be challenging to pinpoint water damage issues when you can only smell them and not see them. However, you may be able to investigate further and isolate the matter to a more specific part of the room.

The skilled and experienced team at Haven Cleaning and Restoration will identify and locate your water issues, fix any damage and problems the water has caused, and restore your home to top condition. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our team by phone at 1-844-944-0369 or book an appointment via our online form.

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