What To Look Out For To Prevent Water Damage
We hear a lot about how water damage affects your floors and carpets, but one thing we don’t hear about as often is how water damage affects your walls. When you think about all the plumbing that runs through the walls of your Panama City Beach home, it is no surprise that water damage can affect walls so frequently. What can be surprising though is just how long this type of water damage can go on until it is discovered. Addressing water damage as soon as possible can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to restoration, so here are some things you should be on the look-out for if you suspect there could be water damage going on behind your walls.
- Softened drywall is one of the most missed signs of water damage going on behind walls, probably because it is not every day that you feel your walls. This softening occurs when the backside of the drywall becomes soaked with water, but the exterior surface appears normal. When applying pressure to softened drywall, it will often buckle under the weight or form a depression where your pressed. If you suspect a leak behind one of your walls, feel around for any areas that are softened.
- Peeling, bubbling, or cracking paint is a common sign that water damage is occurring behind a wall. When water has been absorbed by the backside of the wall and begins to push its way through the material, it can build up behind the paint (paint has latex in it so it have some give and can actually expand). This will often form bubbling or even water blisters to show on your wall. When there is a lot of moisture present, it can even cause cracks to form on and paint to peel away from the wall. From small, hardly noticeable bubbles to almost unbelievable water blisters, these signs of water damage should never be ignored.
- Water stains and discoloration are probably the most noticeable sings of water damage (not counting massive wall water blisters, which are fascinating to google images of), and will almost always accompany water damage that has been going on for quite some time. Some common signs are streaking stains running down walls, irregular shaped stains that often change and grow over time. Old water damage issues will also leave water stains if it was not cleaned properly, or the issue wasn’t resolved.
The best way to detect water damage behind your walls is by looking for these signs. If you suspect there may be water damage occurring behind your walls, or anywhere in your home for that matter, pay attention to these signs and be sure to call Daystar Cleaning. Not only can we help investigate and determine whether there is water damage occurring behind a wall or not, but we can also take over the entire restoration process so you can rest assured that the problem will be found and resolved in a timely manner.
