Signs of a Hidden Water Leak

Hidden Water Leak

Water can be life-giving and helpful in a home, but when unwanted water infiltrates a structure, it can turn dark and destructive. Water is insidious and sneaky and will creep into every crack and crevice in a home going unnoticed and causing continual problems for long periods. Hidden water damage within your walls can lead to serious damage that may require massive repairs. With this hidden danger, it’s important to know the warning signs of a moisture problem in your home so you can have it repaired before it gets out of control.

Musty Odors

When water absorbs into porous building materials like wood and insulation, musty odors are sure to follow. Mold and mildew grow quickly in the presence of moisture, leaving behind a musty and earthy smell that grows stronger as the mold continues to grow and spread. If you find that you’re noticing a sudden mildewy smell, it’s a good indication there’s a hidden water leak somewhere nearby.

Stains and Discoloration

Mold will not be the only visible sign of a water leak. When water absorbs into drywall and sheetrock, it causes discoloration and staining. Spots on the ceiling in walls that range from yellow to brown are an indication of a water leak within the ceiling or wall. Especially if the spots are changing colors or growing in size, they’re probably caused by a hidden leak that needs to be repaired before it causes more damage.

Warped Drywall and Flooring

When sheetrock and some floorings materials absorb too much water for an extended period, they’ll begin to warp. Not only is this unsightly, but it’s also dangerous. Warped materials aren’t structurally sound and can compromise the safety and integrity of the structure. Additionally, ceilings are prone to buckling and crumbling in the presence of water, which can also become dangerous.

Peeling Paint

Paint and wallpaper will both begin to bubble and peel when moisture builds up behind them. If your paint is peeling, there’s a very good chance you have a fairly extensive hidden water leak behind your walls. The paint will begin to peel when it’s been in the presence of moisture for too long which means that the drywall behind it has become saturated. Anytime you notice flaking, peeling, or bubbling of your paint or wallpaper you should be prepared to address an underlying water problem.

Water can cause a lot of damage in a very short amount of time, so you must call for help to address the problem as soon as you notice any signs of a hidden water leak.

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Commerce, MI

A hose bib burst burst that flooded their finished basement. We had to remove all drywall, flooring, insulation, and other affected areas. We then applied a solution to prevent mold growth. We then completed the reconstruction to bring it back to i...

livonia, MI

Jacob suffered from hail damage from the summer storms in Livonia MI. This caused a leak into his master bathroom. The thermo imaging technology let us know we had to remove the flooring, ceiling/insulation and one wall of drywall. We tarped the ro...

Livonia, MI

We were contacted at 6am by the manager of an office/medical building with 4 of their suites under water from an underground water main burst. The team was dispatched, the main shut off and the pumping and extraction began of the 2-4 inches of grou...

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5 out of 83 reviews

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Jim Maher, Ray and Karen were so helpful and informative. The water in my basement was overwhelming, the Maher team gave me all of the information I needed to get my house back in order. Very professional.. I would recommend them to anyone. THANK YO...

Posted on Google

Maher performed water damage and mold remediation services for us and did a great job. Jim, Karen, Dustin, Ray and Kyle all were very professional and we would highly recommend them! They went over and above in addressing our needs and concerns.

Commerce, MI

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Fast, efficient, and personable. We had a great experience dealing with stressful water damage. If you want the best call Maher and ask for Justin.

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