There are many possible causes of water damage in your home, but the signs are not always as clear as you might think. Sometimes water damage is not visible until there is a more serious problem, so keeping an eye out for signs of hidden water damage should be on your radar. Why are hidden water leaks so dangerous? They are dangerous because they can cause structural damage and mould growth before they are discovered. When excess water and moisture absorb into materials like wood, drywall, insulation, and wallpaper, it can lead to warping, bubbling, stains, and deterioration. The mould growth caused by hidden water leaks can also affect your health and the structural quality of your walls and ceilings. Keep the following signs of hidden water damage in mind to protect your home.
Stained Walls
When water seeps in after a heavy rainstorm, you may notice areas of discoloration on your walls and ceilings. The water saturates the drywall or ceiling, creating splotches in the affected areas. Not only does this look unsightly in your home, it also signals that there is a more serious issue behind it.
Unpleasant Odour
If you walk into an area of your home or a room that smells musty and damp, it may be a sign of a water issue. The longer water stands in an area, the more likely it will begin to grow mould. This bacterial growth can create an unpleasant, earthy smell, and will not go away on its own. If you notice signs of mould in your home, you should deal with this problem as quickly as possible by contacting the professionals. You may not think it is an issue until you can see the mould, but the longer you wait, the worse the damage will get. Mould is resilient and with enough moisture and the right temperature it will spread and affect other areas of your home.
Drooping Walls and Ceilings
Another unpleasant sign of water damage in your home is drooping walls or ceilings. Saturated drywall or ceiling materials can become droopy and heavy from the added weight of water that has soaked in. When this happens the drywall or ceiling will buckle, droop, or become deformed. The danger of drooping walls or ceilings is that if water continues to pour into these areas, they could burst, fall, or collapse, causing damage to your home and posing as a safety hazard.
Mould Growth
Foul smells can be a sign of water damage, but an absolute indicator of a water problem is visible mould. Mould cannot grow in a dry environment, but in areas like your bathroom or basement, they can thrive because of the high levels of moisture. Depending on how hot the climate is where you live, mould can grow all year long. If you see mould growing in one area of your home, it’s important to note that those mould spores are already spreading around your home into other nooks and crannies. Even tiny spots of mould can turn into a much bigger problem if you do not contact the professionals.
Peeling Wall Paint
Too much moisture that has gathered behind your walls can cause the paint or wallpaper to start peeling or bubbling. This is usually the case in homes where the sheetrock behind the wall has soaked up too much water. Regularly inspect your wallpaper by checking for separation along the seams. If you have painted walls, look for areas where the paint is flaking. These areas can signal a hidden water leak.
Warping Walls
Warping walls are another sign of water damage in your home. This happens when the sheetrock behind the wall absorbs too much water and begins to bend and curve. Excessive warping can lead to serious structural damage, which is highly expensive to repair. If you see even the slightest bit of warping on your walls, it is an indication of a water leak and you should seek immediate water damage remediation.
Flood Services Canada Can Help You Fix Water Damage
If you notice water damage or mould growth in your home, your instinct might be to grab the spray cleaner and go to town on it. However, since moisture can seep behind drywall and other hidden areas, there are areas you won’t be able to reach. Professionals have the right tools, experience and procedures to target all the possibly affected areas to get your home back to a safe, healthy, mould-free environment.
If you need quick water damage restoration, Flood Services Canada can help you. Our professionals offer a variety of services and solutions to problems related to water damage, and we can help you settle with your insurance company to get your life back to normal as soon as possible. We deploy our quick-response teams to cities across the Greater Toronto Area to help homeowners save their home in emergency situations.
Our services include 24/7 sewage, water damage, and flood cleanup services and we will use the best techniques, personnel, and equipment to ensure your home is clean, safe, and dry as soon as possible. Contact us at (416) 302-2107 to learn more about our services, or use our emergency hotline at (416) 999-3930 to get our rapid-response teams deployed to your location.
