Home Humble Blog Drywall Water Damage: Everything You Need To Know Drywall Water Damage: Everything You Need To Know Posted on June 10, 2024 4 min read Drywall is a popular construction material for residential and commercial properties. It’s affordable and versatile, offering sound insulation and fire resistance. Unfortunately, its weakness is its vulnerability to water damage, which can lead to mold growth, stains, and structural issues when faced with leaks, floods, and other causes.  Understanding the signs, causes, and solutions for drywall water damage can save you time, money, and stress. Here is everything homeowners need to know about drywall water damage, from identifying the problem to preventing it in the future. Why Does Drywall Water Damage Occur? Most types of drywall are prone to water damage, with even high humidity affecting drywall. These factors typically lead to drywall water damage: Leaky Pipes: Plumbing leaks are among the most common causes of water damage. They can be caused by deteriorating pipes, burst pipes, or property structure shifts. Roof Leaks: Improper maintenance could lead to damaged or missing shingles, faulty flashing, or clogged gutters, allowing water to seep into your home from above. Condensation: In high-humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens, condensation can build up on walls and cause damage over time. This results from poor ventilation, which prevents moisture from entering the room.  Flooding: Natural disasters, plumbing failures, and sewage backups are common causes of property flooding.  Poor Ventilation: Without proper ventilation, moisture can accumulate inside your property. Porous drywall can absorb the moisture in the air, causing it to swell and warp.  What Does Drywall Water Damage Look Like? Drywall water damage can happen slowly, gradually worsening if left unchecked. If you see any of these signs on your property, you should call a professional property restoration team, as your drywall may need major repairs or replacement: Discoloration: Water damage breaks down the porous materials in drywall, resulting in discoloration. Check if patches of your drywall have started to develop yellow, brown, or dark stains on your walls or ceilings. Bubbling or Peeling Paint: When water seeps into drywall, it can lead to drywall and paint expanding and contracting, which can stress the bond and cause bubbling, cracking, or peeling. Swollen Walls: Water can cause drywall to swell and warp. You might notice uneven surfaces or bulging sections. Sagging Ceilings: The weight of the water absorbed by drywall in ceilings can cause certain areas of your property’s ceilings to sag or even collapse. Early Signs of Water Damage in Walls Even before you see the visible signs mentioned above, there are some ways to spot early signs of drywall water damage. Here are some early warning signs to watch for: Soft Spots: Although drywall isn’t as hard as other building materials, its gypsum core should still make it relatively hard to the touch. If you press on your walls and feel any soft or spongy areas, it could indicate water damage. Mold Growth: Mold thrives in damp environments, and black, green, or white patches on your walls are a visible sign of mold in your walls. However, if you smell a distinctive musty odor from the walls, it may suggest mold and bacterial growth within your walls.  Increased Utility Bills: An unexplained spike in your water bill without a price increase or additional tasks needing water might signal a hidden leak. Unexplained Dampness: If an area of your wall feels cold for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of dampness and water intrusion within your walls. How Should You Handle Drywall Water Damage? Discovering drywall water damage can be alarming. Left unchecked, it can lead to serious structural issues, mold growth, and costly repairs. You should contact professional property restoration technicians to handle the damage.  Repairing or replacing the visibly damaged drywall is rarely ever enough. There is an underlying issue causing drywall water damage, and failing to address it ensures that the problem will reoccur, on top of the other potential hazards of failing to address a problem on your property. Although the process can vary between properties, professional technicians can perform the following: Identify the source of water Assess the damage to the drywall and the rest of your property’s structure Remove standing water and any lingering moisture in the affected area Remove and replace damaged drywall Mold remediation processes

Home Humble Blog Water Seeping Through Your Basement Floor? Here’s What To Do Water Seeping Through Your Basement Floor? Here’s What To Do Posted on July 8, 2024 5 min read Wet or flooded basements are a common problem in many properties. Beyond being unpleasant, the constant dampness threatens your home’s structural integrity and value. Moisture leads to wood rot and other signs of structural damage. It also creates the ideal environment for the growth of mold and mildew that can harm your family’s health. Fortunately, you can identify, address, and prevent water seeping through your basement floor. Is It Sweating or Seepage? Before anything else, it is essential to determine whether the problem is water seeping through the basement floor cracks or something else that also results in a wet basement: condensation or sweating. Here are some ways to tell the difference between seepage and sweating: Signs of Water Seepage Persistent Wet Spots: The same areas of your basement floor or walls remain wet regardless of the weather Water Stains and Efflorescence: White, powdery deposits on walls indicate water passing through the concrete and bringing salts to the surface of the floor Standing Water: Puddles of water form on the floor after a heavy rain. Signs of Condensation or Sweating Condensation on Surfaces: Beads of water form on cool surfaces like pipes, windows, and walls, especially during humid weather Dampness in Air: Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity level in your basement. High humidity (above 60%) can lead to condensation. Condensation Test: Tape a piece of aluminum foil to a damp spot on the floor. If moisture forms on the outside of the foil, it’s condensation. If it forms underneath, it’s seepage. Generally, basement condensation is caused by excess humidity, which results from factors such as a lack of ventilation, a cool basement temperature, and activities like drying laundry. Meanwhile, a common cause of seepage is hydrostatic pressure. This occurs when groundwater accumulates in the soil surrounding your home. Water exerts pressure on the foundation walls and slabs, pushing moisture into small cracks, gaps, or even the tiny pores in concrete. Other possible causes of water seeping through a basement floor include the following: Leaks from water supply pipes in the basement Blocked or damaged drainage lines Cracks in the home’s foundation Excess groundwater around the base of the home Poor landscape grading, resulting in water pooling around the foundation Insufficient basement waterproofingImproper gutter or downspout installation Understanding whether you’re dealing with seepage or sweating is crucial. By identifying the cause of the moisture, you can take appropriate action and contact the right type of professional for assistance. Managing Water Seepage in the Basement Water seepage is a serious issue that could damage your home, leading to costly fixes and creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew. For this reason, it is crucial to contact a professional immediately for diagnosis and repair. Additionally, if your basement is flooded, you will likely need basement water removal services. If you’ve had moisture issues in your property for a while, you should also consider a basement water damage inspection. This proactive step can uncover hidden problems before they escalate into structural damage and potential health risks. However, while you wait for your appointment with a trusted restoration company, you can follow these tips to safely prevent further damage: Look for the Source: Check pipes and appliances for any visible leaks. If possible, turn off the water supply to the source. Minor leaks can be temporarily patched until a more permanent repair can be made. Clear Clogged Gutters: When gutters overflow due to accumulated leaves, debris, or even ice dams in winter, they can’t channel rainwater away from your foundation. Instead, it pools around your foundation. You can prevent this by periodically clearing gutters and downspouts. Contain the Seepage: Use towels or sandbags to create a barrier around the seepage point. This helps prevent the water from spreading. Dehumidify: Consider borrowing or renting a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air in the basement. Improve Ventilation: Open windows and use fans to improve air circulation in your basement, which helps the floor dry faster. If seepage is near electrical outlets, appliances, or wires, shut off the power at the breaker box. Also, if you plan on cleaning or performing DIY fixes in the basement, wear protective gear such as gloves, rubber boots, and a mask. These will help protect you from harmful bacteria in the water or mold and mildew spores in the air. Explore Long-lasting and Effective Solutions for Basement Water Seepage DIY approaches like sealing cracks and gaps might work in the short term, but they won’t address the root cause of the water seepage. Worse, it could trap moisture within the foundation walls, causing further problems. At Restoration 1 of Humble , we can accurately diagnose the source of the water seepage, whether it’s foundation cracks, drainage issues, leaks, or hydrostatic pressure. We will then recommend and implement the most effective and long-lasting solution, preventing structural damage to your property. Our team of experts also offers basement water removal and water damage restoration solutions. Reach out to us today at (832) 307-0651 to schedule an appointment. 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Home Humble Blog Drywall Water Damage: Everything You Need To Know Drywall Water Damage: Everything You Need To Know Posted on June 10, 2024 4 min read Drywall is a popular construction material for residential and commercial properties. It’s affordable and versatile, offering sound insulation and fire resistance. Unfortunately, its weakness is its vulnerability to water damage, which can lead to mold growth, stains, and structural issues when faced with leaks, floods, and other causes.  Understanding the signs, causes, and solutions for drywall water damage can save you time, money, and stress. Here is everything homeowners need to know about drywall water damage, from identifying the problem to preventing it in the future. Why Does Drywall Water Damage Occur? Most types of drywall are prone to water damage, with even high humidity affecting drywall. These factors typically lead to drywall water damage: Leaky Pipes: Plumbing leaks are among the most common causes of water damage. They can be caused by deteriorating pipes, burst pipes, or property structure shifts. Roof Leaks: Improper maintenance could lead to damaged or missing shingles, faulty flashing, or clogged gutters, allowing water to seep into your home from above. Condensation: In high-humidity areas like bathrooms and kitchens, condensation can build up on walls and cause damage over time. This results from poor ventilation, which prevents moisture from entering the room.  Flooding: Natural disasters, plumbing failures, and sewage backups are common causes of property flooding.  Poor Ventilation: Without proper ventilation, moisture can accumulate inside your property. Porous drywall can absorb the moisture in the air, causing it to swell and warp.  What Does Drywall Water Damage Look Like? Drywall water damage can happen slowly, gradually worsening if left unchecked. If you see any of these signs on your property, you should call a professional property restoration team, as your drywall may need major repairs or replacement: Discoloration: Water damage breaks down the porous materials in drywall, resulting in discoloration. Check if patches of your drywall have started to develop yellow, brown, or dark stains on your walls or ceilings. Bubbling or Peeling Paint: When water seeps into drywall, it can lead to drywall and paint expanding and contracting, which can stress the bond and cause bubbling, cracking, or peeling. Swollen Walls: Water can cause drywall to swell and warp. You might notice uneven surfaces or bulging sections. Sagging Ceilings: The weight of the water absorbed by drywall in ceilings can cause certain areas of your property’s ceilings to sag or even collapse. Early Signs of Water Damage in Walls Even before you see the visible signs mentioned above, there are some ways to spot early signs of drywall water damage. Here are some early warning signs to watch for: Soft Spots: Although drywall isn’t as hard as other building materials, its gypsum core should still make it relatively hard to the touch. If you press on your walls and feel any soft or spongy areas, it could indicate water damage. Mold Growth: Mold thrives in damp environments, and black, green, or white patches on your walls are a visible sign of mold in your walls. However, if you smell a distinctive musty odor from the walls, it may suggest mold and bacterial growth within your walls.  Increased Utility Bills: An unexplained spike in your water bill without a price increase or additional tasks needing water might signal a hidden leak. Unexplained Dampness: If an area of your wall feels cold for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of dampness and water intrusion within your walls. How Should You Handle Drywall Water Damage? Discovering drywall water damage can be alarming. Left unchecked, it can lead to serious structural issues, mold growth, and costly repairs. You should contact professional property restoration technicians to handle the damage.  Repairing or replacing the visibly damaged drywall is rarely ever enough. There is an underlying issue causing drywall water damage, and failing to address it ensures that the problem will reoccur, on top of the other potential hazards of failing to address a problem on your property. Although the process can vary between properties, professional technicians can perform the following: Identify the source of water Assess the damage to the drywall and the rest of your property’s structure Remove standing water and any lingering moisture in the affected area Remove and replace damaged drywall Mold remediation processes