Signs of Walls with Water Damage in Fort Lee Properties and What to Do About It

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO mitigate the water damage to your Fort Lee home and hardwood flooring with a rapid response--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

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One of the most frequently encountered water damage in Fort Lee residential properties is a leaking pipe. A burst pipe may result in the sudden need for cleanup, but it can actually be less of a mess than a slow leak that went on within a wall for months until the deterioration was so severe that it finally showed the signs of wear from the water damage.

There are usually some small signs when a home has a slow leak in a wall causing water damage in Fort Lee. Homeowners that know what to look for can catch these early signals and potentially save themselves from a costly large-scale water restoration service. Things to look for on and around walls for clues water damage is occurring include:

• A feeling of dampness or musty odors
• Water stains on walls or visible mold growth
• Paint bubbles or peeling paint
• Warped or buckled sheetrock
• Misshapen flooring or baseboards

Dampness and Musty Odors

If an area in the home, particularly a basement, has a musty odor or feels humid, take a good look with a watchful eye as there may be a yet-undiscovered water leak. As moisture absorbs into sheetrock or wood, it can produce a distinctive odor.

Water Stains or Visible Mold

Once moisture seeps into a wall, naturally occurring airborne mold spores may find a great new home if the temperatures (60 degrees F. or higher) are suitable to sustain their germination and growth. Water stains show up as darkened areas and show be immediately investigated to halt any further water damage.

Paint Bubbles and Peeling Paint

Constant moisture levels can cause paint to bubble on the surface of a wall. It looks like a balloon, and if it is popped, water may run out. Peeling paint (usually Latex-base) has lost its adhesion to the surface, often due to moisture in the wall. Neither surface can be merely painted over, and both situations are signs that the home needs water restoration services.

Warped or Buckled Walls and Ruined Flooring

Drywall does not handle exposure to moisture well. A slow leak can destroy a significant portion of a wall as the cardboard backing absorbs moisture, resulting in the need to remove and dry the interior wall void. Tile can lose adhesion from water running down a wall into the floor and subfloor. Hardwood flooring can show signs of damage by warping or nails in the boards protruding from the surface. This type of water damage should always get professional mitigation.

Getting Rid of Water Damage

Once signs of water damage are found, they should get cleaned up professionally as rapidly as possible. SERVPRO technicians can bring in professional-grade equipment that:

• Find the areas with moisture
• Extract and dry the affected materials
• Handle any removal of water-damaged building materials
• Conclude the service with a build back

SERVPRO of Fort Lee at (201) 496-6024 handles all types of water damage restoration services for the Fort Lee community. The trained, certified technicians are available 24/7 to make it, "Like it never even happened."