What Happens if Water Gets in Your Walls

Identifying water damage is usually pretty easy as long as you sort of know what you are looking for. There is typically water or stains on the floor. That obviously means you have water damage. Water damage in your walls is not always so obvious. In most wall water damage cases its usually safe to assume there’s more wall water damage than you can see on the outside. This article is going to be about wall water damage, the things to look for, and giving you an idea of what’s going on behind your walls.

Wall water damage can be caused by numerous different ways. Sometimes from outside sources like a storm, or inside sources like a leaky or burst pipe. If not handled immediately the damage only gets worse and becomes more of a hassle to handle. Any property with a history of water damage typically sells for a lower price. The owners usually claim that the damage is taken care of but there is always a risk of remaining problems. Wall water damage can cause small issues like stains on the wall from the water soaking into drywall or sheetrock. Those are both porous materials meaning there’s tons of little holes for the water to soak into. It can also cause structural issues to your framing materials and insulation causing mold, electrical hazards, rotting, and corrosion. Wall water damage can cause fires because of electrical damage, kind of ironic, huh? But don’t worry! Water damage doesn’t always have to be a huge issue. Call your local water damage restoration professionals to reduce the spread of more damage. The quicker you call for help, the more time and money you save in the long run.

You can easily spot wall water damage by feeling it and seeing if its softened at all. You can also see if there is bubbling, cracked paint, or discoloration. Softened drywall is one of the most easily missed sign of wall water damage. Dry wall softening occurs when the backside of the dry wall becomes soaked, but the exterior seems fine. Press against different areas on the wall you might suspect if it buckles or becomes depressed you have unseen wall water damage. Since this is mostly missed, there may also be mold growth behind the wall. Stay alert to any foreign smells of rotting or mold. Bubbling occurs when water sits behind your paint and bubbles up. Popping the smaller bubbles is okay as long as you are prepared to clean up the mess after. Be careful as there is a chance water can come out the hole after you pop it. Knowing this be prepared with towels. If it’s a bigger bubble you should leave it alone and call the professionals to get the job done. They have the proper tools necessary for that kind of job.

By now, you should have a brief understanding of how wall water damage can occur, how to spot it when it happens, and what to expect when it happens.