Effects Of Flooding On Your Walls

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.