SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County provides property damage restoration services, including water removal, drying, and mold remediation. A water intrusion from storm damage, a burst supply line, or a hidden leak can cause severe damage. Identifying the source of the leak and removing the water and moisture is crucial to prevent advanced secondary damage.
The team at SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County provides thorough remediation of water damage from sneaky leaks once the leak is stopped. Undetected, hidden water leaks can have serious consequences for the homeowner. According to home and garden resource BobVila.com, “Building materials and water don’t mix. Insulation, wood studs, plywood sheathing, and subflooring can all degrade, rot, or develop mold when they’re repeatedly saturated with water. Making the situation even worse, this water damage is often hidden from sight, tucked away between walls or under floors. As a result, significant structural damage can occur before it’s discovered.”
Listed below are eight of the most common hidden leaks that can cause great structural damage if left undetected.
#1. In and around a window
A prime location for a sneaky leak is a window. High winds, hail, and heavy rain can take a toll on a window. Signs of potential damage include:
- window screens that are dented, torn, or missing
- cracked, shattered, or broken windows or window panes
- cracked or dented siding
These damages are obvious and need to be immediately repaired. Water removal and applied structural drying will mitigate the water damage. Simply fixing the window and removing the water intrusion may not address any leaks that are not readily visible.
Moisture from a severe thunderstorm can sneak in between the window sash and the jamb, trickling down the framing studs in the wall without being noticed. Eventually, the undetected leak can cause wood rot and mold. Over time, the hidden leaks will manifest evidence of their existence. Look for bubbling and peeling paint around and under the window. Warping sheetrock, soft flooring, and a moldy, musty smell around a window eventually expose the sneaky leak.
#2. Under the siding
Water and moisture can hide under the siding at the corners of the house and where two siding panels meet. Water can sneak under the siding around windows where the siding abuts the trim. Gaps in these locations can allow moisture to make its way beneath the siding. The plywood sheathing under the siding will eventually rot, but the damage may remain concealed under the siding for years.
#3. Behind gutters
Overflow from clogged gutters can damage the soffit, ruin OSB and plywood roof sheathing, and flood into the attic. Because the area affected by the gutter overflow is often inaccessible, the damage can grow with every heavy thunderstorm. By the time the homeowner discovers the issue, the water damage is extensive.
#4. Under the thresholds of exterior doors
Shielded from view but not shielded from water damage, the wood underneath the metal threshold of an exterior door will eventually rot from repeated exposure to moisture. The only indication of water damage is when the metal threshold begins to work loose and wobble.
#5. Through painted window sills of exterior windows
A common location for water damage in older homes is an exterior windowsill with many layers of paint. A tiny trickle of moisture through cracks in the paint can slowly rot the wood. A windowsill in a seldom-used or vacant room can decay unnoticed for years. The homeowner can conduct a DIY check of exterior window sills with a screwdriver or other probe. If the tip of the implement penetrates into the wood when pressure is applied, the rot may result from water seepage into the sill.
#6. Behind drywall after a flood
Water from flooding or a burst water pipe can create a moist environment behind the drywall that promotes mold growth and wood rot. Special drying techniques or drywall replacement below the flood line may be necessary to remove the risk of mold infestation and wood rot. The rising water may have also damaged electrical circuits and outlets.
#7. Behind an exterior faucet
An outside faucet is a favorite avenue for water intrusion. The faucet connection to the internal water pipe is challenging and can develop a leak. The unseen leak can damage sheathing and framing studs in the wall.
#8. Around a chimney
Chimneys, exhaust fans, and vents create huge holes in the shingles and roof deck. However, if the large roof penetrations are properly sealed, leaks will not usually occur. It is advisable to have a roof professional inspect the structure annually.
Pro tip: Chimneys comprised of brick and mortar are porous and can wick moisture into a home, causing structural damage and mold. The chimney must be coated with a sealant to prevent wicking and leakage.
When a hidden water leak reveals itself through a musty smell, water stains, a spongy floor, or a collapsed ceiling, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County. The water damage restoration company has the equipment, training, and expertise to quickly restore the property damage so that life returns to normal for the homeowner.
For more information about water damage restoration in Cleburne, TX, email SERVPRO of Crowley and South Johnson County at office@servprocrowley.com or call (817) 297-8588.
