Notice a few damp spots in your living room or kitchen walls?
There is no way to identify issues by looking at the wall, but chances are there could be a leak in the walls causing damp patches. Generally, homeowners do not know how to deal with it and ignore the occurrence altogether.
The problem with this is that if there truly is a water leak, it will only spread and worsen if not brought under control. Hence, if you notice a water leak behind your wall, it is advised that you take immediate action before the problem worsens.
Finding A Leakage In The Wall
Usually, when leakages occur in the wall, they are caused by minor issues in the plumbing system or the development of cracks and tears in the exterior. Even a tiny hole will route water away from its natural path in the pipes and form streaks on your walls.
People often use tools like moisture meters or infrared cameras to figure out the cause behind a leakage problem. However, there are a few other things you can do to deal with water leakages in walls:
3 Things You Should Do To Deal With Leakage In Walls
1. Identify The Source Of The Leak
With water leaking into the wall of your house, it is only natural to panic and wonders what's wrong with your plumbing system. But, if you take a few moments to investigate, you'll get to the bottom of the matter.
Firstly, check the interior plumbing for defects by checking the water meter. Make sure to turn off all the faucets and taps in your house before noting the water reading. Wait for at least three or four hours without using any fixtures and recheck the reading. If the amount of water used has increased, you can be sure it might be an internal plumbing leak.
Check for other issues like clogged gutters or improper caulking and exterior plumbing parts when the reading comes unchanged. However, this issue could also arise due to improper drainage, cracked pipes or other damages. If you have access to tools, use them to find the source of the leaks at home.
A. Infrared Camera
As the name suggests, this camera uses an optical system to detect the energy levels and temperature of the area required. This system works by moving the camera along the walls to find a hard place. If one spot on the wall appears to be more relaxed than the rest of the area, it's possible that water has leaked out and collected there.
B. Moisture Meter
Any suspect surface can be tested using a moisture meter. The device is designed to detect moisture levels on any surface, so you can move it around on your walls to check for leaks. Check on a few different points on the wall, and the point with the highest reading is likely to be the spot closest to a leak.
2. Repair If Something Needs Fixing
Once you have narrowed down the problem area, see what you can do to fix it as soon as possible. With interior plumbing issues, you may have to call in a professional plumber to cut the wall section. A licensed technician will be equipped to see the leaking area and promptly fix any leaking taps and replace the damaged sections.
If patching and caulking are required, get that done and finish it off with primer and a fresh coat of paint. Scrape off the old caulking and use one that fits the project.
If you are confident about your skills, DIY the caulk with a caulk gun and apply it to the area at a slight angle.
Leaking issues in the downspout or sprinkler system might be slightly more challenging. Remember that when water flows through the downspout, it should go away from the house and foundation. If not, there is a chance of internal leaks occurring.
3. Prevent Further Occurrences
A. Clean The Gutters
Hidden wall leaks are found mostly when they begin to show on the wall as damp patches. But you can prevent such occurrences by following a few practices like keeping gutters clean. If your area has been hit by heavy rainfall, make it a point to clear the rain gutters the very next day.
B. Check The Roof Periodically
Also, keep checking the roof and window weep holes for signs of leakage. Since these parts are visible from the outside, any cracks or dents are readily recognisable. Another thing you can do is upgrade the home insulation.
C. Upgrade The Insulation
With age, the home insulation can weaken and allow the temperature from outside to affect your plumbing system. As you may know, frozen, burst and blocked pipes are waiting to happen. So, if you haven't changed the insulation for years, maybe it's time to get an upgrade.
D. Consult A Professional For Check-Ups
Annual plumbing inspections will help you get to the bottom of issues before they even surface. The plumbing system especially has a bunch of copper pipes and iron parts that tend to rust and corrode over long term use. Checking which of them need replacing will help you keep the system in good shape.
Fixing Your Leaking Wall
While the methods for taking care of wall leaks are limited in this short guide, you can take proactive steps to keep your plumbing in top shape. It's not compulsory to conduct an HVAC maintenance check twice a year, but we highly recommend it. These checks will bring the faults in walls or ceilings to light, thus preventing any significant mishaps.
Finally, do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are experiencing a water leak in Perth. We can assist you in identifying the cause of the problem and provide you with a permanent and cost-effective solution.
