What Causes Leaking Walls?
Moisture is a constant companion in the Pacific Northwest. Here are a few ways it can make itself at home in your walls, setting you up for major wall leaks in Seattle, WA.
Foundation/Structural Cracks
These types of cracks can form for a variety of reasons, but are common routes for moisture to enter your home. In some cases, external basement walls can crack due to the pressure of the earth around them, or shifting ground can damage foundations and give water a path in.
Plumbing Problems
Probably the most obvious cause for water intrusion, pipes are common failure points. Small pinhole leaks, corroded pipes, failing pipe joints, and more can all leak water into your home. Even the tiniest pinhole leak in a pipe can slowly allow enough water out to damage your walls and harm structural integrity. Burst or frozen pipes are also much more obvious contributors to wall leaks.
Siding and Window Sill Issues
Sealing around windows can break down over time, especially if it’s regularly exposed to extreme temperatures or storms. Once this barrier falls apart, water can travel into your walls through your windows. Damaged or cracked siding can also allow water in if it isn’t properly maintained.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Proper drainage in areas with regular heavy rains and snowmelts is extremely important to avoid wall leakage. If water around your home has no direct path away from your house, it can build up, putting pressure on your walls and causing small cracks over time. Once the cracks develop, you’re looking at major amounts of water forcing itself into the lower parts of your home.
Roofs and Gutters
Believe it or not, clogged gutters can cause wall leaks in Seattle, WA. As they fill up with debris and are unable to reroute it away from your home, water can spill onto your roof. This excess fluid will seek out small cracks in your roof or flashing and make its way inside.
Wall leaks in Seattle, WA, are a big problem if they aren’t taken care of quickly. The following section can give you some red flags to watch out for.
How Do I Know If My Wall Is Leaking?
Luckily, wall leaks show up in pretty obvious ways once a problem forms. If you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to the professionals at South West for wall leak repairs.
- Visible wall changes. Keep an eye out for bubbling behind paint, strange discolorations, wallpaper suddenly separating from your wall, and warping. These are all signs of wall leaks.
- Standing or dripping water. Water gathering around a specific wall, or moisture dripping from the ceiling, are (obviously) bad signs.
- Musty odors. Nobody wants their walls to smell weird. If you’re picking up musty smells by a specific section of wall, it could be a sign of moisture-accelerated mold growth.
- Mold or mildew. This plays off the above note, but any sudden or strange mold growth around corners or patches of wall can indicate hidden wall leaks.
- Odd water sounds. Your walls aren’t water fixtures; if you can hear dripping, hissing, or the sound of water moving around when your faucets or showers aren’t running, you’ve got a problem.
- Soft drywall. Exposure to water can damage your drywall. If there are soft or spongy sections of your drywall, you should reach out to a professional.
- Unexplained increased water usage. While this isn’t a visual cue, if your water bill is rising without an obvious explanation, a hidden wall leak could be to blame.
Wall Leak Repair Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about wall leaks in Seattle, WA? We’ve put together a quick list of common FAQs on the subject that will hopefully cover some of your own doubts.
How can I prevent wall leaks?
If you’re looking to take the initiative, here are a few measures you can take at home to guard yourself against wall leaks. Check your gutters! Clearing them out gives water a direct path away from your roof. Inspect caulking around windows to look for cracks or failures. Get your roof inspected annually and replace missing shingles. Insulating pipes is another great way to avoid freezing/bursting that can cause catastrophic wall leaks. Regular plumbing inspections are another great way to avoid wall leaks creeping up on you.
Will my wall need to be broken open to fix a wall leak?
In most cases, yes, the best way to get wall leaks in Seattle, WA, fixed is to crack open a section of the wall. This strategy is necessary for several reasons. Most obviously, your plumber will need quick access if a damaged pipe is the culprit. If a water leak is diagnosed, opening up the wall is critical to ensure the wet environment dries and doesn’t retain water. Looking for other major structural problems is another key step that’s hard to accomplish without a visual on the situation.
Can wall leaks affect my house’s wiring?
Yes, wall leaks can cause major issues with wiring, depending on their location. If a leak happens to occur near vital wiring in your home, you could notice flickering lights or shorting that can lead to dangerous situations if left unaddressed.
