Moisture damage is one of the most costly problems to fix in a home because it develops out of sight, often due to small leaks around exterior openings for windows, rooflines, and walls. Trapped water seeps into insulation, affecting drywall, the wood framing behind it, and exterior finishes such as paint and siding. While the water could be leaking from many sources, one small leak can cause a large amount of damage and, if caught early, can be repaired before turning into a very costly repair job.
Early detection is key to preventing moisture damage from escalating into a much bigger problem. Not only can excessive moisture damage materials and lead to costly repairs, but it can also make your home an unhealthy place to live. In order to prevent these types of problems, it is best for homeowners to have some sense of what to look for and when to bring in a professional to investigate further.
Check Exterior Walls for Cracks and Discoloration
Exterior walls are constantly exposed to rain, temperature changes, wind, and humidity. Over time, small cracks can develop in stucco, siding, masonry, or around window frames. While some surface cracks may be cosmetic, others can allow water to enter the wall system.
Hidden problems with moisture can be harder to recognize when they reside behind walls of stucco finishes. But if there is moisture that has penetrated through the exterior wall surface of a home’s exterior and made its way into the wall behind, it can manifest itself to the observer as discoloration or as a bubbled-up area of paint. Dark streaks and soft wall surfaces are indicators too that there is a hidden problem of moisture residing behind the exterior surface of a home’s walls and roof.
Understand the factors that determine stucco remediation cost. Knowing how the size of the affected area and the extent of the damage that has occurred behind the finish interact with the condition of the sheathing and framing can help you know how to ask questions of your contractor to get the best price for the repair.
Look Around Windows and Doors
Looking Around Windows and Doors for Signs of Water Entry. Leaks into homes occur most frequently around windows and doors. Many different items can cause water to enter the home near these areas, including peeling paint, failing caulk, and warped or rotten trim. Even if the paint and caulk appear to be in good shape, water can enter through cracks in the mortar or through openings around the window or door frames. A leak near a window or door should be thoroughly investigated to determine the cause of the leak to ensure that the repair is completed correctly the first time.
Some issues with windows, on the other hand, may be more apparent on the inside of your home. For example, are there sections of your drywall that appear to be damp? Do you smell something musty? Is your window sill or surrounding trim swollen? Are sections of your paint or trim that are normally hard now feeling soft to the touch? These are all potential signs that there is water leaking into your home and that there is likely an issue with the flashing or sealant surrounding the window.
This should be addressed as soon as possible, and in the event that the moisture is recurring, it is best to investigate the cause further to ensure that any necessary repairs are made.
Inspect Ceilings, Attics, and Rooflines
Leaks can manifest themselves in very different ways, and in some cases, water can travel along roof rafters, through pipes, down walls, and along framing before leaking into a room and leaving a visible water stain on a ceiling.
Darkened wood, water-stained or moldy insulation, rusty nails, and other signs of mold and mildew should be inspected and treated if found in the attic. On the exterior of the house, look for missing, broken or shifted shingles, damaged or missing flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents and windows, clogged gutters and downspouts, and areas where water may pool and collect.
Allow water to penetrate the roof and gutter system, and it can damage both the structure of the home and the finishes inside the home.
Watch for Musty Odors and Indoor Humidity
Mold growth and deterioration of building materials can occur before signs and symptoms become apparent. Musty odors or dampness in a building can be an early sign of moisture intrusion.
High levels of humidity in homes can also cause problems with mold and deterioration of building materials. While a dehumidifier can work to reduce the moisture in the air to help prevent these problems, it will not fix a leaky situation.
If the odors from moisture return after you have cleaned up moisture and made improvements for better ventilation, then a moisture assessment will be needed by a qualified professional.
Act Before the Damage Becomes Visible
Moisture problems, even minor leaks, can get worse if exposed to rain or to changes in temperature and humidity over time. If left unchecked, they can end up causing serious problems to the structure and finishes of a home. The only way to prevent this kind of damage is to pay close attention to the warning signs and schedule regular home inspections.
The cracks, stains, and water seepage seen on the exterior of a home can bring a host of problems to the interior if not properly remedied. But there are many problems that have been going on for years before any visible signs appear on the exterior of the home. Regular inspections of a home’s exterior and performing needed maintenance can often reveal hidden problems before they cause serious damage.
Detecting moisture earlier is easier to remediate than allowing it to deteriorate a home’s structure and finishes and deteriorate the air we breathe.
