When there's a flood in your house, whether it was caused by
nature or a broken pipe, your walls are going to get wet.
While furniture and belongings are relatively easy to deal with-- even if that
means throwing some away-- walls are a lot harder to take care of properly.
However, there are some things you should do to combat water
damage, provided that you act quickly. Letting walls stay wet for over a day or
two can be the difference between an inconvenience and a major repair.
Identifying Moisture In Walls
The reason walls suffer water damage is different for each
property. For some, it may be because of faulty piping, an ineffective plumbing
system, broken appliances, broken vents or even malfunctioning bathroom
fixtures. For others the reason for damp walls may be external factors
including severe weather, heavy rain or flooding.
The first visible indication of moisture in walls is the appearance of
damp patches, blotches or streaks on the walls. A lot of these darkened
spots can range from brown hues to dark yellow, often dictating the reason for
the moisture.
Other signs of water damaged walls can include peeling
paint, discoloration, crumbling, cracking and hanging of drywall tape. These
moisture stains may be the result of substances in the drywall and plaster
leaching to the surface. If left untreated, the unsightly patches can
also develop a musty odor.
When moisture penetrates the walls from above, faults in the
structure of the roof including missing or damaged tiles, inferior flashing or
cracked gutters and drainpipes can be responsible. Since these areas are all located
outside the structure, they are not too hard to spot and address. Damp
patches resulting from leaks can also happen with faulty plumbing work fixed in
the walls or even from badly sealed bathrooms.
Containing The Problem
The first step in containing and correcting moisture in
walls is to visually inspect all of the walls to evaluate the exact amount of
water damage. Since acceptable moisture levels vary according to the type of
wall material, using a wall moisture meter can help. The device is designed to
carry out a more intensive inspection of moisture levels to identify the extent
of the damage.
The next step involves locating the cause of the water damage and start
appropriate repairs to make sure that the damage does not spread to other areas
of the property. Because building materials will absorb different
levels of moisture content, wall moisture readings yielded from the moisture
meter can help in determining the saturation levels within the walls. However,
it is essential to identify the reason for the moisture before attempting to
correct it.
Air Dry The Walls
When walls are damp but haven't been like that for more than
just a day, your best option for reducing water damage is to allow air in from
outside. Air circulation will help to make your walls dry faster than they would
on their own. Another thing you can do to help your walls dry is to use
a box or industrial fans. Point them toward the wet walls and leave them on at
least 48 hours. If your walls have been wet for more than three days, you will
more than likely have to begin the process of removing the wet drywall.
Contact Utah Flood Cleanup
While this is something you are able to do by yourself, it's
best to leave it to professionals. Contact Utah Flood Cleanup in the event of
flooding or water damage, not only to address the immediate issue, but to
prevent the long-term effects, such as structural damage and mold. Call us at
801-416-2666 or contact us on
our website for a free consultation.
