How to Find a Leak Inside A Wall
Water leaks and damage behind walls are hard to notice or find. Preventing structural damage and poor indoor air quality requires early detection. Contact the water damage restoration experts at Matrix Mitigation Services for help with water removal or water damage restoration services.
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What Causes Water Leaks?
Water leaks come from many sources, and understanding where the leak started is a key first step in water damage restoration.
Roof Damage
Older roofs are a common source of water leaks and are structurally weaker and susceptible to heavy wind and rain damage.
Roof damage, and the water damage that results, are not visible initially. Water and debris can accumulate for some time before being noticed. Once noticed, structural damage has already begun.
Leaky Pipes
Pipes can crack and break because of their continuous use and the water that runs through them. Pipes rust frequently, and cracking and breaking occur with increased water pressure and freezing in colder climates.
Pipe leaks start as small trickles of water. Over time, if untreated, the dripping increases in size and frequency. Pooled water under a leak source builds up and damages ceilings, walls, and other foundational structures.
Water Leak Indicators
Leaks that continue undetected for long periods can do enormous amounts of damage, requiring water removal and water damage restoration. Monitoring for common leak indicators can catch leaks sooner rather than later.
Common signs of leaks include:
- Black or brown spots or rings on the walls
- Discoloration of the walls
- Chipping, peeling, warping of the wall
- Wet, spongy feel to the wall
- Sour, musty smells
- Increased water bills
- Dripping sounds
Finding Water Leak Sources
Half the battle is spotting the leak. The other half is identifying the source.
If the signs of a leak occur near appliances or damaged window and door seals, the source of the leak may be apparent. A process of elimination can identify hidden sources.
Read the Water Meter
To determine if a leaky pipe is a culprit, turn off all water sources in the home, including sinks, washing machines, and dishwashers. Note the meter reading on the water meter outside the home. Refrain from using any water sources for a few hours.
Recheck the meter reading. A faulty pipe is the most likely culprit if the reading increases. Otherwise, the roof or clogged gutters could be at fault.
Water Damage Restoration by Matrix Mitigation
Once found, water leaks require immediate water removal and restoration to prevent further structural damage or risks to health.
Matrix Mitigation Services understands that water damage can occur at any time and that time is of the essence for water removal and restoration services. The team offers 24-hour and same-day services to get your home back to safe and healthy conditions. Matrix Mitigation’s certified technicians help identify the sources of water damage and offer water damage restoration at affordable costs.
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Don’t let a hidden water leak get out of control. Contact Matrix Mitigation Services at (855) 541-1010 to schedule an appointment or find out about services in Winder, GA.
