Moisture behind walls can be detected with a pinless moisture meter. Pinless moisture testing a drywall structure is not only recommended for locating moisture problems.
Signs of a Water Leak Behind the Walls
For instance, you'll want to take note of any musty smells inside your home. These foul odors can suggest that mold or mildew is growing behind your walls. Also, keep an eye out for discolored walls and high water bills.
Use a dehumidifier
If the area is a bigger one, you may need a dehumidifier. Lok for one that can process 50 imp or 28,000ml of water each day. Hook up the device in the same room as the damp walls, close the windows and doors and run the device as stated in the manufacturer's book.
Signs of Rising Damp
It is possible that there will also be damp patches and stains on the walls which will appear yellow or brown in colour. Just like condensation wallpaper will start to peel off the walls but the difference is that it will occur only on lower parts of the wall.
TLDR: It takes about 72 hours for areas affected by water damage to dry completely. But, it only takes about an hour for the water to begin causing damage to your home. For this reason, you should contact a water damage restoration company like Steamy Concepts as soon as possible.
There are several causes for damp patches appearing on interior walls including damaged guttering, cracked roof tiles and more commonly condensation. Condensation forms when warm moist air within a room touches a cold internal wall or surface.
Water vapor can move through walls, ceilings, and floors (the building envelope) of a home in following two ways: Air Infiltration: Moisture can be carried by air that transports it through holes or gaps in the built structure of a home. A great deal of moisture can be carried by such infiltration.
It stains your walls
The water leaking in walls may stain drywall or sheetrock, both of which absorb water quickly as they are porous materials, having many holes in them. If the stain becomes more prominent over time or the wall bulges, it's a sign of a hidden leak in the wall.
The main causes are as follows: Building faults – damaged or deteriorating mortar can lead to water ingress through the render. Any cracks in the brickwork or substrate will also allow water to get in. This can occur for a number of reasons including more serious structural issues.
LeakSMART. LeakSMART is designed to work with both iOS and Android devices. With this awesome app, you can effectively prevent water damage by stopping leaks as soon as they start. The app is designed to detect water leaks in the entire house using up to 32 sensors.
The rule of thumb is that any moisture reading over 16% is considered damp and needs attention. If your reading is over 20%, you may need to replace the drywall entirely. Walls in homes with healthy humidity levels typically have a moisture reading between 12-15%.
Commonly, penetrating damp occurs on external walls where the external ground levels are higher than the internal floors or there is an incorrect fall away from the building. The consequence is that the rainwater cannot efficiently run away from the walls, causing dampness to seep through.
Look for Discoloration
If you notice any discoloration on your walls, it indicates that some pipe might be leaking and water is seeping through. At first, it might look like the walls are sweating, with beads of moisture. Later on, it will turn into a full-fledged wet spot.
Water Damage
A big question homeowners often ask is “does wet drywall always need to be replaced?” and the answer is almost always yes. Water stains, discoloration, bubbling, peeling paint,. and softened areas are all signs of water damage and are not nice to look at.
Yes, if you have damp and mould in your home you're more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.
Local Damp Surveyors
If you need further help to identify the source of the problem or you would like to speak to a local surveyor to discuss your problems and get advice then call 0345 27 27 807.
The 48-72 hour window is critical to prevent mold growth as it usually takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow. Once fungus gets a hold on a drywall surface, it can be the breeding ground for thousands of spores and quickly spread in the air around the wall with every passing hour.
You should be aware that a moisture reading of 0-15% is quite normal and gives no cause for concern. However, moisture readings in excess of 15% indicate the need for further inspection.
A high-quality moisture meter used on the right material can be accurate to within less than 0.1% of the material's moisture content by weight. However, a low-end moisture meter can be wildly inaccurate.
Mold loves moisture. Any signs of dampness, such as water stains, peeling paint, or warped walls and floors, may indicate a moisture problem and potential mold growth. If you notice any such signs, it's important to identify and fix the water source as quickly as possible to prevent further mold growth.
An infrared thermal imaging leak detection camera can help detect water leaks by capturing and displaying thermal images. When there is a water leak, the water can cause a temperature difference in the surrounding area, which an infrared camera can detect and display as a visual image.
A smart water leak detector can identify leaks and send alerts to your phone, even when you're away from home. The Flo by Moen Smart Water Leak Detector (available at Amazon for $46.67) is the best water leak detector we've tested because of its fast alerts, easy setup, and intuitive app.