What causes wet walls and how to fix them? If you’ve wet walls in your home, it can lead to some serious issues down the line. Wet, damp, and sweating walls usually indicate that you’ve moisture problems in your home. Let’s take a look at some telltale signs of moisture issues.
- Water stains
- Peeling wallpaper and paint
- Water spots on the ceiling and inside walls
- Stale and musty smell
- Mold growth
What Causes Wet Walls and How to Fix Them? Major Causes
There can be two major reasons for moisture problems in a home. They can either be due to the inability of moisture to escape from the home, or there could be excessive moisture entering your home. Condensation, improper drainage, or leaks are some of the underlying causes of moisture issues.
1. Condensation
Condensation takes place when hot, humid air comes in contact with a dry, cold surface. Their contact leads to the formation of water droplets on colder surfaces (such as your walls). This is precisely the kind of moisture that can be found on your bathroom walls and even kitchen.
Excess moisture can become a breeding ground for mold growth and even cause drywall stains. Fortunately, you can prevent condensation issues in your home with the following simple solutions.
- Dehumidifiers – A dehumidifier is a simple tool to remove excess moisture from rooms without an exhaust system.
- Exhaust systems – A great way to get rid of moisture buildup in moisture-prone areas like baths and kitchens.
- Ventilation – Proper roof ventilation is essential to keep moisture levels in control. It can even help you avoid a premature roof replacement.
2. Leaks
Water leaks in a home are commonly caused by plumbing problems such as a leaky sink or bathtub. Sometimes, appliances that use water such as dishwashers and washing machines can also be the culprits.
In case, you think that you have a water leak in your home, you can use the following steps to address it effectively.
- Find the source of the leak. Get in touch with a home inspector to find the root cause of the leaks.
- Fix the leak. Repairing a roof leak permanently can be a tough task for inexperienced homeowners. Fixing damaged flashing, gutters, or pipes will require the expertise of a professional plumber or a skilled roofer.
3. Damp
Damp can lead to wet walls in your home. There can be two sources of dampness in a home – rising damp and penetrating damp. When building materials like drywall or plaster absorb water from the ground, it is called the rising damp. On the other hand, penetrating damp can be caused by a leak source in the home.
The most common cause of both rising and penetrating damp is inadequate ground and surface drainage. Both penetrating and rising damp can be fixed with improved water drainage, properly ventilating the home, and repairing damages immediately.
Get In Touch With the Leading Experts
Water infiltration can cause wet walls and other moisture-related issues in any home. Since damaged and missing shingles can cause severe water problems down the road, it is better to fix roof damage as soon as you notice any warning signs. If you’ve discovered wet spots on your walls or ceiling after heavy rain or storms, it’s best to get a roof replacement without wasting time. To learn more, get in touch with our experts at Mississippi Landsource or Doug Rushing Realty.