10 Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall
Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall – While most water leaks can be traced to faulty plumbing, some can be caused by rainwater seeping into the walls of your home or cracks in your foundation. Wall leaks can lead to structural damage and mold growth if left alone.
They may not be readily visible, but several signs will help determine if water has seeped into your home’s walls and resulted in a leak. Using tools such as a water meter can also help you locate the exact location of a leak in your walls.
Signs of water leak in the wall
Although water leaks behind walls are not visible outside, some signs can help you identify them. Below are some common ones.
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Musty Smell
When excess water or moisture is absorbed into building materials, such as wood or drywall, it can cause a musty, musty odor. This is a sign that water is seeping into your wall.
In addition, the smell may also indicate that mold has grown in wall cavities. Either way, the problem should be addressed immediately to avoid more serious problems like water damage.
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Visible scars
Wall leaks can cause water to seep into the sheetrock, creating noticeable stains. This will often appear as a discolored area on your wall with no distinctive shape and may appear more prominent as time goes on.
Thick drywall, on the other hand, absorbs water almost like a sponge, preventing you from seeing any leak stains on the wall.
- Mold Appearance
Mold growth is most common in damp areas such as basements, kitchens and bathrooms. If fungus is visible on your walls, it is a sign of excess moisture in this part of the house.
Wall fungus looks like a cluster of small black or brown spots. They can lead to allergies and other serious health problems if left untreated. (Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall)
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Taunting
If the sheetrock behind your wall absorbs too much water, it will bend and warp, causing the wall to sag. Excessive warping can cause structural damage, which may require costly repairs.
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Peel Paint
If too much moisture is behind your walls, the paint on your walls will start to peel. This usually occurs when the sheetrock behind the wall has absorbed excessive amounts of water.
This is one of the common symptoms of water leakage in the wall, even though the problem remains hidden. Still, you should be able to detect it by checking for any obvious separation in the wall seam. (Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall)
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Buckled Ceiling
If water seeps into your walls, they will be damaged. This condition can extend to the ceiling and floor. Inspect these areas for any signs of buckling. Check further for evidence of water damage to the walls if you find any. (Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall)
- Wall Puddle
The easiest way to determine if you leak your walls is by looking for puddles of water that have formed near the wall. A wet or dirty carpet in one area of your home is also a good indication of water seeping through the wall.
Often, you’ll see wet spots near water-dependent appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. However, sometimes they can be seen in bathrooms next to the toilet or shower area.
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Dripping sound
It is possible to detect water leaks in walls even when they are not doing any visible damage. After turning off the water supply, remain calm and pay close attention. A leaky pipe can create the low-pitched sound of dripping in a nearby wall.
Plastic PVC pipes in your plumbing will amplify the sound of drips, making it easier for you to hear them. On the other hand, it may be challenging to hear the dripping sound if you live in an older home with copper pipes.(Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall)
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Changed Texture
A bubble-like texture will likely form if you have water seepage in your walls. As the water begins to discolor the wall paint, it will cause the wall to crack or buckle. If your walls have serious leaking problems, they may be bowing out.
These can eventually give way if the water pressure gets too high. This is dangerous, so you must stop water seepage under the walls. (Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall)
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Increase in water consumption
Pay attention to your monthly water bills; if you have significant water seepage in your walls, it will show an abnormal increase in consumption. This can make you consume more water than normal, yet you may not be aware of it.
While an increase in your water bill fee will not help you determine where the leak is, it will still indicate that you may leak into your wall. (Signs of Water Leakage in the Wall)
Important achievements
Finding leaks in walls takes work. This is because the excess water responsible for the leak is usually hidden from view. Still, there are signs you can use as a guide to determine whether a water leak has damaged the wall in your home.
Many of the signs are obvious, such as in the case of warped walls and chipped paint. Meanwhile, others are less obvious because they may be signs of a separate and distinct problem.
Examples of this are dripping sounds and increased water charges, which can be caused by plumbing issues and not necessarily a leak in your wall.
However, in both cases, a problem needs to be resolved before it leads to a disaster like water damage.
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