Water damage in your home is frustrating. But it is even more frustrating when you have hidden water damage that you don’t see until it’s too late and your home requires more substantial repairs.
But, as the name suggests, finding hidden water damage isn’t as simple as noticing a leak under a sink. It is important that you know all of the signs of hidden water damage so you can treat it as soon as possible.
Our team at Liberty Restoration has compiled a list of signs that you may have hidden water damage in your home.
1. There Is A Bad Smell That You Can’t Place
When you have water damage in your home, hidden behind your walls, it may stagnate. This sitting water can quickly lead to mold, bacteria, and mildew growth behind your walls. As the development spreads, it may smell dirty or musty in your home.
While all musty smells do not directly result from water damage, it may be a good idea to investigate. If you cannot find the source of the smell, but it persists, you may want to consider having a professional come into your home to look over your home’s plumbing.
You want to rule out the possibility of water damage in your home. Professionals can determine if there is water damage and to what extent it has become a problem for your home.
2. Your Paint Or Wallpaper Is Peeling
Anyone who has tried to remove old paint or wallpaper from their walls knows that getting it off isn’t the easiest thing to do. So if you notice that your paint or wallpaper, especially new paint and wallpaper, is peeling off your walls, it may be a sign that you have hidden water damage in your home.
If water leaks behind your walls, the moisture makes it difficult for the adhesive to stick to the wall. As the adhesive is worn away, you’ll watch your wallpaper or paint droop or slide off the wall. This can lead to much more substantial damage, so it is best that you reach out to a professional for help as soon as possible.
3. There Is Water Staining On Your Walls
While your walls may get dirty during day-to-day use of your home, water staining on your walls is unusual. If you notice water stains on your walls, this might be a sign that you have hidden water damage behind them.
Water stains on your walls are generally black, green, or brown and cannot be covered by paint. If you believe you have water staining on your walls, you should reach out to a team of professionals. They will come in and remove the damaged drywall, as well as repair leaks. This removal and repair will prevent the staining from reappearing.
4. Your Utility Bill Is Higher Than Normal
It isn’t uncommon for your utility bills to fluctuate a bit throughout the year. Your water and energy use varies through each season. However, if there is no apparent cause for an increase in your utility bill and you are still seeing a rise, this could be a sign of a problem.
If your water bill is higher than average, this is a sign of a leak in your home. But if you haven’t spotted the leak in usual places, including under your sinks or near appliances, this is a sign of hidden water damage. Until this problem is addressed, your utility bill will continue to climb.
5. There Is Visible Warping Of Your Floors
Your walls aren’t the only part of your home that can experience water damage. If you have vinyl or wood floors in your home and notice them warping, this may be a sign that you have hidden water damage in your home.
As your floors come in contact with excess moisture, the flooring may begin to buckle or distort. You may be able to protect your floors from this warping, but it is best to reach out to a professional who can help find the cause of the excess moisture. They can repair the damage to your floors and find the source of the damage.
Repairing Hidden Water Damage In Your Home With Liberty Restoration
If you believe you have hidden water damage in your home, it is crucial that you get help from a professional as soon as possible. Water damage spreads rapidly and can lead to more substantial problems in your home, including mold and mildew growth and structural damage.
A team of trusted professionals can repair any leaks and will remove any damaged portions of your home that are beyond repair. Our team at Liberty Restoration has years of experience repairing water damage and is confident that we can help you through this tough time.
In addition to our water damage restoration services, we provide mold remediation, board-up services, and asbestos remediation. If you need help with water damage in your home or would like to speak with a member of our team about other services we provide, contact us today.