Water damage restoration in Indianapolis is often necessary after a flood or a plumbing disaster. However, water can seep into your home in many areas, including behind walls where you’re unlikely to see the damage. Learn the 6 signs of water damage in walls in the guide below, so you can know when to contact local water damage restoration professionals.
Top 6 Signs of Water Damage in Your Walls
If you notice any of these issues, contact a professional water damage restoration company to inspect your home for water damage.
1. Wall Discoloration
If water leaks behind a wall, you might not see the moisture. However, you might notice that part of your wall is changing colors. Reddish-brown or yellowish-brown water stains are among the most obvious signs of water damage in walls.
In drywall, water damage discoloration can look like streaks that run down the wall. Brown or yellow streaks and drips can stain plaster walls. The areas where the stains are most apparent usually indicate where the water accumulates behind the wall.
2. Mold or Mildew Growth
According to FEMA, mold can start forming on moist surfaces in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Mold needs a dark, damp environment with access to food to thrive. A leak behind a wall creates the ideal environment, especially since mold and mildew can feed on the cellulose in drywall and wood.
Visible mold on walls looks like black specks. Colonies can also take on a light or dark green hue, depending on the type of mold growing inside your house. You might see a big collection of these specks or a light splattering on the wall.
Mold might look like a surface problem that you can wipe clean from an affected wall. However, the problem could extend beyond the surface level and reach the insulation behind the wall. Without immediate professional mold removal and remediation, the growth will spread, resulting in structural damage to your home.
Mold and mildew also pose a serious health concern. Even if you don’t see visible mold growing on your walls, you might notice an uptick in allergy-like symptoms due to the abundance of fungal spores in the air.
3. Musty Odors
Sometimes, you can smell mold before you see evidence of it. Mold and mildew produce a musty scent that’s noticeable yet hard to describe. If your home develops an unpleasant odor without a clear cause, it may be time to contact a mold remediation company to check for hidden mold and mildew growing behind your walls.
4. Dry Rot
Occasionally, water seepage behind a wall causes dry rot to develop. This problem is most likely to occur where the floor meets the wall.
Dry rot is a type of fungal growth that can destroy wood. If your home has drywall and hardwood floors, dry rot is a serious concern. You would have to address the moisture problem contributing to the growth of dry rot, and you might have to replace your flooring as well.
5. Soft Spots on the Wall
When water saturates drywall, the material may warp, bulge, or swell. The affected area can feel soft to the touch. The softness and swelling will continue to worsen until the wall sags due to the extra weight from the water.
Even a small soft spot on your wall is cause for concern. The moisture can continue spreading, increasing the risk of major structural damage to your property.
As soon as you notice warping, sagging, or softness in a wall, contact a plumber to locate and fix the source of the leak. Then, reach out to a water damage restoration company to repair the damage.
6. Flaking or Peeling Paint
Painted walls may react differently to moisture. For example, a leak behind a plaster wall could cause cracks in the paint job, resulting in chunks flaking away. However, paint on drywall may bubble and peel under similar circumstances.
Pay close attention to the texture of the walls inside your home. Any changes to the paint could indicate water seepage behind the wall. Regardless of the type of paint you apply on your walls, exposure to excessive moisture can cause it to lift from the wall one way or another.
Get Professional Help for Wall Water Damage With Indy’s Restoration Team
If you notice one or more signs of water damage in the walls inside your Indianapolis home, don’t hesitate to contact Indy’s Restoration Team. Our professional restoration service extends to water and fire damage restoration as well as sewage cleanup and mold removal for residential and commercial properties throughout the area.
Our skilled and experienced team delivers unparalleled workmanship and emergency services 24/7. Call 317-468-9205 to request a quote or fill out the form on our website.
