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How To Find A Water Leak Inside A Wall

August 20, 2021/0 Comments/in Plumbing /by BJ Johnson

Arriving home from a long day at work and you walk into your home to settle in for the night. While walking towards the kitchen, you look to your left and there is a watermark on your wall that was not there before you left. Immediately, you begin to panic. How to find a water leak inside the wall? The best way is to hire a professional to use a thermal imaging camera, moisture meter and to inspect the area.

Lucky for you, we will discuss all of your options should this occur in your home. Let’s dive into the details.

Causes of a Water Leak Inside a Wall

Pipes

Leaks can come from many areas such as inside the walls due to faulty plumbing or cracks in the pipe. No matter what material is used for your plumbing, damage can occur to the pipes. Some homes might have Pex plumbing and this can damage easily as rodents like it. In colder climates, it does not do well in freezing temperatures.

Also, many older homes will have plumbing issues because they have galvanized or lead pipes.

The reason swimming pools up north are winterized and water is blown out of the pipes prior to sealing them, is to avoid the possibility of the pool pipes bursting underground during the winter months

Polybutylene Pipes

Polybutylene pipes were used in homes from 1978-1995 and are made of plastic, cheap, and not sturdy. They also react to chlorine and cause leaks at the connections. In 1978, builders in the Sun Belt states were using this pipe in homes until 1996. The failure of the pipes wreaked havoc on homes and thus a Class A lawsuit was filed against the manufacturers. In the end, $1 billion was awarded to the plaintiffs.

Roof

Also, consider that a roof might have a leak, and water can get in from above and seep down the wall, causing damage to the wall. Even though the majority of issues come from a plumbing issue, that is not always the main cause. Gutters can also back up and cause water to enter the home. Additionally, there can be problems with the eaves or downspouts clogging so keeping these areas clean and free of debris is important.

The wall looks like it is sweating next to the shower.

What Will The Water Leak Look Like

Noticing that you have a water leak is actually quite easy. There are many ways to tell and some are more easily seen. Let’s review what a water leak would look like.

Wet spots on the wall – this will give the appearance that the wall is sweating. An example of this is in the pictures above in which it is leaking water outside of the shower enclosure.

Black or brown spots on the wall – this indicates mold or mildew has begun to grow

The paint on your walls start to peel and bubble up

Your wall is stained and discolored or even warped

A dripping sound is heard when water sources are turned off

The water bill comes in and it is exponentially higher than what you are used to seeing. You can check this by taking a look at the water meter in your yard and following these steps.

Hot water leaks can cause a hot or warm spot on your floors and walls.

Smells of musty scents are detected by you as you walk past the walls

There may be a water leak underground if you are experiencing any of the above or it could be in the walls. If there is a water leak underground, a sewer scope inspection can be done. This inspection is done by an inspector who uses a special type of camera that goes through the drainpipe in the home and into the sewer lines. This allows the inspector to see if there are any issues or potential issues before you buy the home or while you are living in it.

Selecting The Right Test To Determine If There Is A Leak

Leak detection can be rather inexpensive considering the potential damage that has been occurred. There are a few ways to conduct leak detection, even as a home owner.

Moisture Detection Unit

There are moisture detection units that you can purchase from a local hardware store to assist you in your leak detection process. This device will analyze the moisture inside the wall. You will place the meter against the wall and collect measurements from four to five different spots. This data will allow you to determine where the most moisture buildup is occurring. However, you will still need a professional to find the source of the leak.

Infrared Thermography Inspection to Find a Water Leak Inside a Wall

Another leak detection tool is called an infrared camera. This camera will use thermography to analyze moisture in the walls by using optics, infrared energy, and surface temperature. A home inspection company that does this (not all do) will have certified inspectors in this area. Not every company does, but we do here at Inside and Out Property Inspectors! You need someone certified so they know how to read the colors on the camera and know where the temperature differential is. Thus, this will allow us to find the area where the leak will be, and instead of tearing down walls, it is zeroed into a particular area.

One of the last ways you can conduct leak detection is by cutting a hole in the drywall where the leak is showing. This will allow you to get in behind the wall for a direct view of where the possible leak is coming from. Keep in mind, this is the last resort as not all leaks are present in a direct location. Water can travel many feet prior to it actually damaging a wall. Lastly, this is why hiring a certified professional will save you time, money, and repairs in the end.

You can check the water meter to see if you have a leak in your home.

What to Do If I Find a Water Leak Inside a Wall

Turn off the water to the home.

This is located outside of your home, generally on the same side as your sprinkler system pump, or on the garage side if you do not have a sprinkler system.

2. Check your water meter. The water meter is located close to the road and is where the city water number is taken by their technicians each month.

3. Water meter still running? If the water meter is still running even after you have shut off your main water connection, then it is highly likely that you have a leak.

In this event, you should call a professional plumber or leak detection company to inspect your issues and determine what the costs of repairs might be.

How Much Is The Water Leak Going To Cost

There are a few factors that come into play when assessing the repair charges of water damage to your home’s wall or ceiling. On average, the repairs can cost anywhere from $350 to $2,500 depending on the extent of the damage.

You also have to consider that a good water damage company is necessary to get a proper quote on all of the repairs. Not only will the walls need fixing, but plumbing and mold removal might be involved as well.

You are not the only one to have gone through a leak in a wall. Let’s take a look at an informative video on how to approach the leaky scenario.

Maintenance of the Home

Eaves and Downspouts

It is imperative that you keep your eaves and downspouts associated with your gutter work free and clear of all debris. If the gutters get backed up with debris, it is possible for water to collect and build up with no place to go. Once the gutter overflows, the water could possibly enter your home’s interior walls. Keeping the eaves and downspouts free and clear of debris on a regular basis will substantially reduce the chances of water entering your home.

Carpets

Make sure to check the carpets in your home to see if you have mold growing. This often can happen from roof leaks, as well as pipes that break or even flood in the home. Some maintenance ideas to avoid this are vacuuming often, replacing the air filter every 3 months in the HVAC, and making sure the air conditioner stays in the “auto” setting instead of the “on” setting.

HVAC units can leak water inside and outside the home.

HVAC Systems

HVAC systems last about 10-15 years but do need maintenance. Make sure you are changing out the air filter every three months. This is important so you know that air is able to flow through. Also, check the air handler to make sure there is no water leaking. If there is or you see the coils freeze, you need to hire a professional.

When Should I Call A Professional

The moment that you notice any damage to your walls or ceiling is when you will want to call a professional water damage company. If you are not sure who to call, you will want to call the Inside and Out property inspectors. The team at Inside and Out property inspectors will be able to assess the damage and refer a more reputable water damage company. This will provide you with peace of mind as you get the best home repair care for your money.

Conclusion

Coming home after a long day of work and you notice a water puddle on the floor or signs of damage to your walls. These are examples of things that can ruin your day really quickly. Well, have no fear, we are here to help you. Inside and Out Property Inspectors can conduct an infrared thermography inspection on your home in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL areas.

How to Remove Mold From Carpet

November 25, 2020/4 Comments/in Mold /by BJ Johnson

Carpet is beautiful in a home and especially feels good under your feet in the bedrooms of the house. But what happens if you have an unexpected water leak or water got in your home and now you have mold growing? Unfortunately, mold spores like moist carpets because of the thickness of the carpet and the backing holds in the moisture well. How do you remove mold from carpet? You can remove it with several things: Vinegar and baking soda, antifungal cleaner, or bleach. Use bleach as a last resort as it can bleach the carpet.

Let’s take a look at why this is necessary, how mold grows, how to remove the mold safely, prevention of future mold growth, regular maintenance, and when to call a professional.

Why This is Necessary

Mold spores can grow rapidly in moist areas and lead to health issues and destruction in a home. When you find mold, it is important to remove the mold from the carpet right away. Your loved ones can develop upper respiratory issues such as severe asthma and eye irritation. Also, many families have young ones who crawl or play on the floor. Playing near mold can send the spores back into the air and spread them around the home.

Mold also will smell musty and that smell will linger through the home. If you have just a small amount of mold, less than 10 square feet (3in x 3in patch), you should be able to remove it. If it is more than that, or you had flooding that included sewage, hire a professional to remove the carpet and replace it. Mold on throw rugs that can be washed can usually be cleaned and salvaged.

How Mold Grows

As mentioned above, mold spores are in the air and will fall and grow in moist areas. This is often seen in bathrooms because of the high humidity and moist conditions. The moist carpet will lock in the mold and it will start to multiply. Often, our nose will smell the musty air before we even see it growing. This is a good reason to act quickly when mold appears.

Also, pay attention to the walls nearby to make sure the mold is not growing there as well. If it is, you could have a bigger problem on your hands.

How to Remove Mold From the Carpet Safely

Ventilate the Room

Open a window and door if possible to get the smell and moisture out. Even though not all molds are hazardous, it is important to prepare yourself with a facemask, rubber gloves, and eye protection. If you can remove the rug, take it outside in the fresh air to air out for about 48 hours.

Lift Up the Area of the Carpet That is Moist and Has Mold

If the mold is in a small area, you can clean it. If the mold is on the backing of the carpet, you may need to replace it. However, you can remove the mold from the carpet by cutting it out. Leave a border of about 12 inches around and add in a replacement piece. If this does not work, then you will need to replace the carpet.

Baking Soda Has Been Used for a Long Time as a Cleaner

Put baking soda on the mold and let it sit overnight. The baking soda will soak up the odor and the moisture. Then, the next day, add some vinegar to the mold spots and scrub the surface using a scrub brush with a handle. Also, scrub the back of the rug or carpet.

Vacuum the Remnants If You Have a HEPA Filter

Be sure to change out the vacuum filter before using it again, as it will contain mold spores. If your vacuum doesn’t have a HEPA filter, use a broom and dustpan instead. Have a trash bag handy to dump the remnants of the mold into the bag. This is important so you keep the spores out of the air and get them into a bag to discard.

Open the Windows, Use a Fan or Dehumidifier

The carpet will be moist again from the vinegar so open the windows or bring in a fan or dehumidifier to dry out the room. White distilled vinegar is a fantastic cleaning agent that does not harm your health, objects, or the environment. Anytime you can use vinegar before other chemicals like bleach.

Use an Anti-Fungal Spray to Remove Mold From Carpet

If the baking soda and vinegar did not work, next try an anti-fungal spray. Before you resort to using bleach, keep your lungs healthy and the environment happy, and use an anti-fungal spray. You can find this spray online or at a local hardware store and choose one safe for carpets.

Below Are the Steps to Using the Anti-Fungal Spray

Spray the area of the mold and about 6 inches beyond with the anti-fungal spray and let it sit for about an hour.
After one hour, blot it with a disposable rag so you can soak up the excess spray and let it sit for 24 hours. Don’t try to dry it yourself, but instead set up the dehumidifier or have the heat turned up in the room so it will dry naturally. Leave the room as it is. Keep pets and children away from the area.
Clean a scrub brush that has a handle with warm soapy water so you know there is no mold residue left on there from using it. You don’t want mold spores flying around.
Once the carpet has dried, repeat step 1. Use a clean rag to blot and let the dehumidifier or heat run for a few more days to ensure the mold is gone.
Check the carpet every few weeks to make sure it isn’t coming back and again at the one-month mark.

Use a steam cleaner- you can use a steam cleaner to clean up the mold as well. The heat from the steam will kill the mold and the bristles on the brush will help loosen it up in the carpet.

Prevention of Future Growth of Mold in the Carpet

Potted Plants- When using potted plants in the home, make sure there is a mat between the bottom of the potted plant and the carpet. This will keep moisture from building up and causing mold.
Firewood– If you use firewood, make sure there is a moisture barrier between the firewood and the carpet.
Dehumidifiers– If your home is humid, investing in a dehumidifier is essential. This is a great way to eliminate the high moisture in the air, create low humidity, and will also save your hardwoods and art from being ruined due to the moisture. Humidity levels should be less than 60% and running the air conditioning will help with this.
Air purifier– This will help clean the air and get rid of the spores. It will be good especially for those with a sensitivity to mold.
Running the air conditioning on the “auto” setting instead of the “on” setting will keep the humidity lower in the home.

Home Maintenance to Avoid Mold in the Carpet

Replace the air filter in the home every 3 months and make sure it filters out allergens such as mold and dust.
Vacuum often– this will help get the mold spores off the carpet that may be tracked in the home.
Painting- keep up with painting the outside of your home. Often when builders paint the outside of a new home, they don’t use quality paint so unfortunately, water can come into the home. You may need to invest in painting the home again yourself or hire a professional to do it.
Roof Maintenance– check around your roof after damaging storms to see if there are any leaks or issues. Making sure shingles are in place and gutters are not clogged is a good idea. Water can get into the home if shingles are missing or gutters back up.

When to Call a Professional to Remove Mold From the Carpet

If you have tried the ideas above and cannot get rid of the mold, it may be time to call a professional. Also, if the area is bigger than 10 square feet or you have health issues, call a professional to diagnose the problem. Often the water may be coming from somewhere inside the walls and a professional can do a thermal imaging inspection and find the source of the water intrusion.

Conclusion

Mold is nothing to play around with and it needs to be taken care of as soon as it starts growing. Need help getting rid of it or have other ideas for removing mold from carpet? Leave us a note below; we would love to hear from you!

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