When disaster hits in the form of a flash-flood or hurricane, you know you have a water problem. But moisture can accumulate over time due to undetected leaks or high humidity in your home. This insidious water invasion can wreak havoc over time with increased allergy symptoms, problems with asthma, and other issues related to mold or mildew growth.
Let’s take a look at where and how hidden moisture can build up and cause problems in our homes.
High Indoor Humidity
Certain indoor spaces, like basements and crawlspaces, often have high humidity levels. When indoor humidity is too high, moisture in the air will condense on surfaces in the form of water. Sometimes this water appears out of sight – behind walls or above ceiling tiles, for instance. This type of water damage is often difficult to detect, which is why it easily leads to mold growth and structural damage, not to mention respiratory health concerns.
If you suspect hidden moisture is at the root of musty odors, a moisture meter is a good way to determine if it’s trapped behind walls or underneath flooring. These WetChec detectors from Dri-Eaz are a fast way to find out. They detect any moisture level that exceeds 17%, issuing an audible alert; plus they come in a 10-pack so you’ll always have one handy.
If you notice light condensation on walls or windows or a consistent musty smell, then your indoor humidity is most likely too high. You can reduce humidity levels simply by running a room dehumidifier.
If you live in an area with high humidity year-round, you may want to invest in a whole house dehumidifier that works through your HVAC system, or a specially designed dehumidifier for crawl spaces. They’re champions at reducing the moisture that can seep into subflooring and cause real problems over time.
Water Damage in the Bathroom
Since so much water flows through the bathroom, it’s no surprise that this room is typically the culprit when evidence of a leak shows itself. Often, this appears as a water stain on a ceiling beneath a bathroom or rapid mildew or mold growth in the bathroom itself. Inspect your bathrooms frequently and replace any missing grout, and loose or worn-out caulking as soon as possible. Look for water stains or mold growth under sinks, behind toilets, and on ceilings and walls.
If you see signs of water damage but don’t have any leaks, it could be a humidity problem. Make sure you have a bathroom exhaust fan large enough to be effective in handling steam from the shower or bath. Don’t forget to flip on the fan before hopping into the shower.
Bathroom fans range from simple single-speed fans, to fans with lights, humidity sensors, and dual or single switch operation. In some cases, a small dehumidifier like this mini-model from SPT can help.
Clean Water Leaks
When a dishwasher, refrigerator, sink, or hot water heater springs a leak, don’t panic. (At least it's clean water!) But you must act fast to avoid serious water damage. First, shut off the water source, then clean and dry the area immediately. Mold begins to grow within 24-48 hours.
Before dealing with the probable source of extreme leaks, be sure to cut off the electricity at the breaker and remove all electrical appliances in the area.
If your carpet or large area rug is soaked, you may be able to save it if you act fast by calling a water damage restoration service. If one is unavailable in the short-term, you can use an extractor like the Dri-Eaz Rover High Volume Extractor to remove water quickly. This specialized tool penetrates deep into carpeting and pads with the ability to remove water from up to 1200 sq. ft. in less than 2 hours. Follow up with an air mover designed for drying carpet and flooring quickly.
Water Leak Alarms
There are obvious places in our homes where leaks are likely to occur simply due to the equipment used there, and, as the saying goes, ”An ounce of prevention…”. Laundry rooms, HVAC & hot water heater utility closets, underneath sinks, and around tubs, showers, and toilets are the spaces most liable to this. Having water leak alarms in these areas can be a life-saver in terms of catching leaks before they create costly problems.
These range from simple reusable leak alarms that emit a loud beep when water is detected, like this one from Honeywell, to Wi-Fi connected detectors that will send an alert to your smartphone.
The Kidde 60WLDR-W Smart Water Leak & Freeze Detector can sit at a low location in leak-prone spaces, or be mounted on the wall and used with a sensor that can run underneath a washing machine or around a water heater. This is especially helpful if your water heater is located in the attic or some other inaccessible place.
In Summary
Unexpected leaks from faulty appliances or plumbing, and persistent high humidity can both cause unexpected situations that foster mold and mildew growth. Using sufficient ventilation, an appropriate dehumidifier or water damage restoration equipment, plus water leak alarms can help prevent and mitigate the effects of these household nightmares.
