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This article was co-written by David Balkan. David Balkan is a professional plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service and president of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As the owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water supply lines, sewer pipes and sewer problems. David is the President of the Council of Plumbers and a member of the Executive Board of the New York Underground Plumbers Association for more than 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach have contributed to making Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service the largest and most trusted company in New York City and the recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award. 2017.
This article has been viewed 12,269 times.
Damaged plumbing is often the cause of water leaks, but it can also be caused by rainwater running down inside walls, or by cracked and open foundations. Long-term water infiltration can damage the internal structure of walls and lead to serious mold problems. You can detect water leaks by looking for signs of water damage such as peeling paint or wallpaper, or patchy discoloration of walls. A musty smell in your home can also be a sign of water seeping in. Determine the exact location of the leak by using a water meter or wall cutter.
Steps
Identify water leaks in the wall
- You will often find wet floors near areas where water-using appliances (washing machines, dishwashers) or in bathrooms near sinks, toilets, or showers.
- Patches of color often have no definite shape.
- Drywall with standing water will sag. Small bubbles or wall buckling can also be a sign of water in the wall. [3] X Research Sources
- Walls that are heavily waterlogged can also bend outwards. Drywall will eventually sag because of the weight of the water it contains.
- Mold can cause allergies and lead to other serious health problems. If you see mold growing on the wall, remove the mold and repair the leaks in the wall.
- Walls with a musty smell will often be accompanied by other signs of leakage (such as discoloration), but this is not always the case; sometimes a musty smell is the only sign that water has penetrated deep into the wall.
- Drywall can absorb water very well (almost like a sponge) making the signs of water leakage not obvious.
- New style water pipes made of PVC will amplify the sound when water is dripping so it is easier to hear. If your home has old-fashioned iron pipes, it will be harder for you to hear.
- Of course, this doesn’t tell you where the leak is, but it at least tells you that there’s a leak in the wall.
- If the reading on the water meter does not change within 3 hours, it means that the water infiltration is not caused by the pipe. Maybe water drips down from the roof, down the wall, or seeps through the basement walls.
- Even if you don’t see any water seeping into the walls, you should still check your gutters and storm drains every year to make sure they’re not clogged.
- Outside: dig a ditch around the foundation and seal the entire subterranean part of the foundation with a protective sealant or retaining wall.
- On the inside: remove damaged columns and drywall, seal cracks with epoxy glue.
Locate the leak
- You can buy or rent a hygrometer at home repair stores. This device is commonly used by home inspectors to find leaks or damp walls.
- When viewed with an infrared camera, hot objects will appear red or orange, and cooler objects will appear blue or purple.
- You can rent an infrared camera at a home repair center or photo shop.
- Often the wall that shows signs of water penetration is not directly in front of the leaky pipe. Water can either flow along the outside of the pipe or drip down a great distance and then only meters inside the wall to seep out.
- You can buy multi-tools and saws at home improvement stores.
Advice
- If you suspect a leak in your wall but can’t pinpoint the exact location, call a plumber or a professional home inspection service to detect the leak. [15] X Research Source
This article was co-written by David Balkan. David Balkan is a professional plumber, CEO of Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service and president of Balkan Sewer and Drain Cleaning. As the owner of these companies for over 40 years, David is knowledgeable about water supply lines, sewer pipes and sewer problems. David is the President of the Council of Plumbers and a member of the Executive Board of the New York Underground Plumbers Association for more than 30 years. His knowledge and solution-oriented approach have contributed to making Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service the largest and most trusted company in New York City and the recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award. 2017.
This article has been viewed 12,269 times.
Damaged plumbing is often the cause of water leaks, but it can also be caused by rainwater running down inside walls, or by cracked and open foundations. Long-term water infiltration can damage the internal structure of walls and lead to serious mold problems. You can detect water leaks by looking for signs of water damage such as peeling paint or wallpaper, or patchy discoloration of walls. A musty smell in your home can also be a sign of water seeping in. Determine the exact location of the leak by using a water meter or wall cutter.
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