9 Common Symptoms of Hidden Water Damage in Your Home

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Spotting hidden water leaks can be tricky, but it’s important to keep an eye out for any signs of a leak before any serious damage occurs. Before any obvious signs of a leak, there’s often extensive un-seen damage that has already occurred. Left untreated, hidden water leaks can cause structural damage to your home and create a hotspot for mold and mildew growth. These issues may not only cause health effects to those in your home, but also a guaranteed hit to your wallet with major repair costs. We know that it can be difficult to catch water intrusion before any serious harm happens, so we’ve put together a list of 9 common symptoms of hidden water damage to look out for.

9 common signs of hidden water damage

1. Musty or unpleasant odors

Every home has its own unique smell, but a musty, stale smell coming from your house is usually a tell-tale sign of hidden mold growing nearby. Any stagnant water can create a perfect place for bacteria to settle and become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

2. Stained walls or ceilings

When water intrusion occurs, dark spots can form on your walls or ceilings as they become saturated with water. Depending on the severity, these stains may soften and give in when touched as they become more saturated. If you spot any possible water stains, it’s vital to call a water damage specialist like SERVPRO right away to prevent any further structural harm.

3. Peeling paint

If excess moisture builds up in your home, the adhesiveness of any wall covering in your home may become damaged. This can lead to peeling, bubbling, and chipping of paint and wallpaper on your walls or ceilings.

4. Visible mold

Any visible mold is a definitive sign of water intrusion in your home. While you should check any obvious places like under sinks and cabinets, mold can form in many unsuspecting spots. Make sure to keep notice of any new musty smells as this can be a sign of mold growing in between walls or under flooring. Any mold may cause health effects to those in your home, so it’s important to contact a mold remediator immediately when discovered.

5. Warped flooring

If water is increasingly saturating your flooring, then warping may occur. Wood flooring may begin to swell and separate from the excess moisture; this is especially common at baseboards and doorways. Tiles affected by water intrusion may loosen or crack and grout may become damaged.

6. Unexplained humidity

While humidity levels can be affected by weather or everyday activities like cooking and showering, an unusual humidity increase may be a sign of hidden water damage in your home. Long term excess humidity can lead to damage to your walls and flooring, so it’s important to get it checked out by a professional.

7. Increase in water bill

If you get hit with a surprisingly high water bill, you may be experiencing hidden water intrusion. While your water usage can vary from month to month, it’s important to check for any leaking toilets, faucets, or sinks. Any hidden leaks can lead to extensive structural damage and heavily drive up your utility bills.

9. Strange water noises

It’s not uncommon to hear water running through your pipes after flushing the toilet or when your water heater is on. However, if you begin to hear any unexplained dripping or thumping coming from your walls, you may have a hidden leak somewhere.

Call SERVPRO of Alamo Heights for any water damage signs

If you’re experiencing any of these signs of hidden water damage, it’s important to get your home inspected to stop any damage right in its tracks. SERVPRO of Alamo Heights has the experts and tools needed to save your home. Our experienced technicians can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for any water intrusion disasters that occur. SERVPRO’s team of highly trained specialists can provide immediate response to get your home dried as soon as possible and restore any damage that has occurred.

The SERVPRO Alamo Heights water damage restoration process

We understand that each water damage situation is different and requires its own unique solution, but our general process we work through usually stays the same. Our five-step process for a typical water intrusion emergency is listed below:

1. Inspect and identify water damage:

    When we first arrive at your property, our experts will meticulously inspect your home or business for the water source and identify its contamination level. After stopping the source, our team will begin surveying any damage done to your property.

2. Water removal and extraction:

     Before beginning the extraction process, SERVPRO will perform an effective move-out service of your furniture in the affected area to prevent any further damage to your belongings. Then, our team will immediately begin the water removal process using the best tools for the job, like submersible pumps and industrial wet/dry vacuums.

3. Drying and dehumidification:

     After extracting any excess water, our team will use industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers to remove any retained water and prevent any further secondary water damage.

4. Cleaning and sanitizing

   If any of your belongings experience any water damage, our SERVPRO professionals are trained with various cleaning methods to restore as much of your property as possible. Our experts will also permanently remove any left-over odors instead of using methods that only temporarily mask unpleasant smells. If any of your property suffered extensive damage and cannot be restored, SERVPRO can properly remove and dispose of any materials.  

5. Restoration

    Depending on the severity of the water intrusion, you may require emergency building services and repairs. SERVPRO is equipped to handle any home repairs, such as drywall replacement or entire room reconstruction.

Get your home back with SERVPRO of Alamo Heights

We understand how devastating it can be to discover hidden water damage. Our water damage restoration specialists are here to respond to any emergency water intrusion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SERVPRO promises to complete the job efficiently and correctly to restore your home or business as soon as possible.

Call now at (210) 822-2063 or request help online for any water damage restoration needs.