Moisture Buildup From Slow Leaks in New Jersey Properties
A single droplet of water can be deceptively harmless. Even several droplets of water may only cause very minor damage to your New Jersey property. However, over time, droplet by droplet, slow water buildup from an unaddressed leak will easily penetrate your porous building materials, cause structural damage and lead to significant mold growth. So, it is important for NJ property owners to understand that slow leaks can be equally as damaging as other major water events like floods and major leaks.
Unaddressed water leaks can lead to hidden mold growth as water begins to collect and saturate your porous building materials.
Unfortunately, slow leaks can be difficult to detect until it has already done some serious damage. New Jersey property owners often don’t find a slow water leak, until it has been leaking for quite some time, especially if it is covered up by building materials like drywall or other materials. As water collects, it will begin to saturate surrounding porous building materials. Often, the first signs of a hidden leak are peeling wallpaper, blistering paint, water staining, bowing ceiling, warped walls or other visible damage to your building materials.
Water Damage & Mold Growth From Slow Leaks in NJ Properties
Constant water from a slow water leak will build up over time and lead to serious water damage and mold development. In situations where a leak is hidden by building materials, it may be too late when you finally see the signs and find the leak. By the time water has saturated your building materials enough to be visible, there is likely significant hidden water damage waiting to be uncovered.
If you see signs of water damage that lead to the discovery of a slow leak, it is important to fix the leak immediately and quickly address the building materials affected by the leak. Damp building materials left behind from a slow leak can lead to structural issues and lead to mold growth. NJ property owners need to properly address all building materials that have been affected by the leak in order to prevent additional property damage, prevent mold development and avoid a more costly repair.
If you discovered mold growth at or near the site of the leak in your home, you may need to contact a professional mold removal company in your area to properly address the mold.
Routine Checks for Signs of Leaks in Your New Jersey Property
Sometimes, dealing with a water leak is just inevitable. It is all part of home ownership. Unfortunately, not all leaks are visually apparent and easy to find. It may not be possible to uncover a leak in its early stages. The best way to combat hidden (or difficult to find) leaks is by paying attention to the signs. It is important for New Jersey homeowners to conduct routine checks and look for any indicators of a leak.
When assessing for leaks, start with the obvious areas– behind cabinets, under basins and areas of accessible plumbing. Inspect all accessible connections at the water heater, pumps, washing machine hoses and valves for oxidation or discoloration – for clear signs of a slow leak. You should consider having a professional plumber do an annual inspection of your home to check for leaks or potential problems. If you suspect a leak anywhere in your plumbing system, call in a professional to make a repair as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it gets worse and you end up with a real mess on your hands!
In the event that a leak occurs in a hidden area that is inaccessible for assessment, you may need to rely on your building materials to point you to a leak.
Signs of hidden water damage can be easy to identify if you know what you are looking for:
- Visible Mold Growth
- Sweating Walls
- Swelling
- Staining & Discoloration
- Peeling Paint & Wallpaper
- Sagging Walls & Ceilings
- Floor Effects
Mold Removal Following a Water Leak in Your NJ Home
If you recently discovered a long-term, slow leak, you might be left with significant water damage and possible mold development. Mastertech Environmental is here to help. Mastertech’s inspectors have the necessary tools and training to assess how moisture from the leak has affected the space. Our professional mold inspectors in New Jersey are properly equipped to map out the areas that have been affected by the moisture to understand the full extent of the water damage and mold growth. Your inspector will use this information to develop a detailed scope of work for safe and effective mold remediation in your NJ home.
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