How to Identify Bathroom Water Damage
Hidden water damage can be extremely dangerous and often more damaging to your home than an outright leak or broken pipe. While water leaks you notice can be taken care of quickly, hidden water damage sits unnoticed and causes even more destruction. Not only do you waste water and pay more in water bills, but each passing day makes repairing damage even more costly.
Excess moisture and leaks not only affect the structural integrity of the bathroom but can also encourage mold and mildew infestation. This, in turn, can lead to wood rot and severe damage that can cost you thousands in repairs.
Instead of letting this damage get worse, it is essential to notice it quickly so repairs can prevent the damage from worsening. The following signs may be indicative of water damage in your bathroom. Keep an eye out for these so you can discover any damage in time and save yourself from costly water damage restoration.
Wall Discoloration
If you see discolored walls, it could be a major sign of water damage in your bathroom. If water leaks behind the drywall, it can soak through the wall and be visible as yellow or brown stains. Therefore, it’s essential to take any discoloured walls and ceilings seriously and check for water damage.
Musty Smell or Persistent Odors
If a leak persists and you do not catch it, the moisture can promote the growth of mold and mildew. Sometimes this is visible, and you can detect it sooner. Other times, mold can grow inside walls and won’t be visible. In these cases, a musty smell or other persistent odor can warn you of mold growth. A musty smell is one of the most obvious signs of water damage and must be addressed quickly to prevent harm to you and your family.
It’s easy to think that odors may be a result of natural occurrences in the bathroom. However, there’s an easy way to eliminate this. If you thoroughly clean the bathroom and the smell remains, it is likely due to moisture and water damage. Even if it’s not visible, always trust your nose and call in professionals to check the problem.
Bubbling Paint/Bulging Wallpaper
Both bulging wallpaper and bubbling paint can indicate that the wallboard is holding moisture and preventing the paint or the wallpaper from adhering to the wall. Sometimes, this can get so severe that you may notice a bulge in the wallboard itself. If this is the case, it’s essential to call water damage restoration services to replace the wallboard before the problem gets significantly worse.
Loose Tiles or Warped Wall
If you notice loose tiles or a warped wall in your bathroom, it’s time to call in the experts because you may have extensive water damage. Moisture behind the walls can cause the drywall to warp and bubble and loosen tiles so that they’re no longer properly adhered to the wall. When the drywall is subject to moisture, it absorbs this moisture and can swell and warp. Keep an eye out for warped walls, and if a wall looks or feels uneven, get the problem checked out.
Mold or Fungal Growth
Visible mold and fungal growth require urgent water damage restoration. Mold is dangerous and can not only damage your bathroom but can also result in you or your family members becoming ill. This can range from mild allergy symptoms to more serious lung conditions. It’s especially dangerous if members of your family already suffer from conditions like asthma or are elderly.
Thus, your first call should be to a water damage restoration specialist like 911 Restoration of Chattanooga if you see visible mold. Because mold develops from the inside out, visible mold means there is a present colony that is only likely to spread further.
Soft or Spongy Floor
Many bathrooms have a subfloor made of plywood. When there is extensive water damage, it can completely rot the plywood subfloor and leave it feeling soft and spongy in places. This can have a great impact on stability and may even be reflected in your toilet feeling unstable. If you feel such a floor, it’s best to call in water damage restoration experts. If this isn’t done, you risk the entire floor collapsing.
Damaged Caulk and Grout
Caulk and grout are seals that are meant to protect your bathroom against water damage. However, if these are damaged, moisture can soak the materials these seals are trying to protect, resulting in mildew, mold, and wood rot.
Dripping Sound
Some leaks are completely silent and take months to notice. Others are audible and you can hear a dripping sound when you’re in your bathroom. The moisture acts fast and can cause damage like mold formation in very little time. Therefore, any leaks you hear should be addressed as soon as possible.
911 Restoration of Chattanooga Can Help With Water Damage Restoration
If you notice any of these signs of water damage, it’s best to call in experts. At 911 Restoration of Chattanooga, you will find experienced water damage restoration professionals who can mitigate the damage caused, prevent the chances of mold, and thoroughly remove any mold that is already present.
Because water damage is so urgent, we don’t make you wait. We are available 24/7 and can reach your property within 45 minutes of your call. Therefore, if you’re in Chattanooga or surrounding areas and require help with water damage restoration or mold removal, we can help. Call us at (423) 308-7440 or reach out to us here.
