Do you know how to find water leaks behind your walls in the Lehigh Valley area?

There are several signs that can tell you if you have hidden water damage behind your walls.

Mold on Baseboards and Walls

Mold growth is not just found in areas with excess moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.  If you spot mold on your walls, ceilings, or baseboards, in area’s that’s not close to other plumbing fixtures, that’s an indication of moisture behind the walls.

Peeling Paint or Wallpaper

When there is too much moisture behind walls, it can eventually cause wallpaper or paint to start peeling or bubbling. This is what can happen when sheetrock behind walls has absorbed too much water. A separation in the wallpaper along the seams or flaking paint can help locate a hidden water leak.

Musty or Mildew Odors

Musty smells appear when excess water or moisture gets absorbed into building materials like sheetrock, wood or drywall. Any type of wall cavity affected by water damage are vulnerable to mold growth which also has a nasty pungent musty odor. Where there is a strong musty smell near a certain area of your wall, there could be a water leak with mold growth behind it.

Bending or Warping Walls

Once sheetrock behind a wall absorbs too much water, it bends and curves which can cause a wall to warp. If left unattended, excessive warping can lead to structural damage with costly repairs and could also be a clear indication of a water leak.

Visible Ceiling or Wall Stains

Stains will be noticeable once water from a leak within the walls gets absorbed in the drywall and sheetrock. New stains have a dark center while older stains contain rings, and if the stains on your wall continue to grow, there is most likely a hidden plumbing leak.

If you experience water damage or suspect you have a hidden leak, contact Restoration 1 Lehigh Valley for a complete inspection, assessment and estimate for repairs.