The Hidden Dangers of Water Damage: Detecting Moisture Behind Walls in Fort Worth Homes
- Customer Support
- Dec 7
- 6 min read
Water damage is one of the most dangerous and damaging threats to homeowners in North Texas. While a homeowner can easily see the damage due to visible flooding, the majority of the damage that occurs is usually done in an invisible way, which means that the majority of the damage done to a home is hidden from view.
Therefore, unnoticed moisture may lead to degradation in the structure of the home, expensive repair bills, the growth of mold, and issues with indoor air quality that can cause significant health problems for a homeowner living in Fort Worth.
For these reasons, homeowners need to be able to quickly identify hidden moisture. To be able to promptly take care of the problem offers the homeowner the protection of their property as well as their health.
In this blog, we will be discussing the hidden dangers associated with water-damaged Fort Worth homes, how moisture can be trapped behind walls, what to look for as warning signs of a potential problem, and how a homeowner can easily prevent a long-term loss from hidden moisture with the help of a water damage restoration company in Fort Worth, TX.
What Causes Water Damage Due to the Moisture?
Moisture can become trapped within wall cavities when it seeps through either deteriorated roof systems (leaks through cracks or voids in roof flashings or missing shingles) or through the exterior wall system (cracked or broken siding sections) during storms in Fort Worth, Texas.
The reason moisture will penetrate down through the wall systems is due to gravity. After moisture has made its way down to an area far away from where it entered, it can easily remain hidden long enough to develop the need for more invasive structural drying and restoration processes.
Hidden moisture can be caused by:
Slow leaking plumbing pipes located behind walls, which are developing corrosion/pinhole leaks at pipe joints, which will release a small discharge of water over an extended time frame. (Most of the time, the release of this moisture will not result in pooling or visible wet spots within the wall system.)
If moisture becomes trapped internally (within a wall) prior to being detected, it can saturate insulation, rot wooden wall framing, and significantly damage the drywall within a home. Without early detection of the hidden and leaking water, the homeowner will be left to rely on Water Damage Restoration Companies in Fort Worth, TX, to eliminate the need for a major reconstruction of the rotting framing, insulation, and drywall.
Hidden Water Damage & Structural Risks
As walls dry, underlying structural components continually degrade, leading to serious problems throughout the entire structure. Moisture in wall cavities will be absorbed into the wood framing, causing it to rot and decay over time. Metal fasteners and hardware will begin to oxidize and fail, which weakens the support structure of the entire area.
With the moisture behind the wall, drywall loses its ability to support weight; insulation stops retaining heat; and ceilings can start to sag or collapse. Therefore, to avoid permanent structural damage, you must contact a professional Water Damage Restoration Service in Fort Worth immediately upon detection of these issues in your home or business.
Mold Growth: The Greatest Health Risks from Moisture Hidden from View
Why Mold Grows Behind Walls
Mold only needs three conditions met for it to thrive: moisture, an organic material to attach itself to, and darkness. All of these conditions are present in wall cavities. Once moisture has been trapped, mold can begin growing as soon as 24 to 48 hours without showing up on a visible surface.
Since the growth inside a wall cavity is hidden from view, mold spores can easily be circulated throughout your entire home via air currents and through various HVAC systems. Therefore, the importance of early detection and remediation through professional Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth, TX, cannot be overstated to protect the indoor air quality of your home.
The Health Risks Associated with Mold Exposure
As mentioned before, long-term mold exposure can produce respiratory problems, chronic coughing, headaches, allergic reactions, and, in some cases, even cause the development of asthma attacks in sensitive individuals. The risk of being adversely affected by exposure to mold is significantly greater for children, older people, and anyone who has a weakened immune system.
Most often, individuals do not realize all the various long-term health issues associated with hidden mold, which is why it is so important that a professional restoration company provide comprehensive services to remove all the moisture from the affected area in addition to providing the proper remediation for the microbial growth.
Signs You May Have Moisture Behind Your Wall
The presence of discoloration on your wall around a bubbled area, along with peeling wallpaper and/or peeling paint, as well as the presence of warped baseboards, can all indicate the presence of hidden moisture behind your walls. Indicators of water damage usually do not surface for a long time after moisture has migrated through building materials to create hidden areas of damage and/or deterioration (i.e., mold).
Soft Areas of Wallboard
A soft area of wallboard or an unexplained dark spot on a surface above it usually indicates that damage has occurred because the wallboard is wet and moisture is trapped in the wall cavity. Any area in a building that feels soft to the touch should be investigated.
Persistent Smell of Mustiness
A continual musty (foul) smell is another strong indicator of hidden water damage/mold growth occurring in a building. Increased humidity levels with no explanation for condensation forming on the interior glass of windows and/or any sudden change in the quality of the indoor air should not go ignored.
If you discover any of these indicators of potential water intrusion or moisture trapped in the wall cavities, it would be prudent to get your home inspected by a qualified Water Damage Restoration Company in Fort Worth, Texas.
Why Should Homeowners Use Professionals to Detect Water Damage?
Homeowners usually rely on visible signs of water damage and/or cheap moisture meters to measure the relative amount of moisture within a given area. However, these measurement devices usually will not locate water that has penetrated through the wall and into a cavity or underneath a subfloor.
Water Damage Restoration specialists have access to state-of-the-art equipment that allows them to utilize non-invasive methods of locating water behind drywall and underneath floors. They have access to infrared cameras, hygrometers, penetration meters, and other moisture detectors that are less invasive than traditional methods and provide for more accurate detection of water intrusion and moisture behind walls.
Professional Moisture Detection Equipment
Water Damage Restoration professionals are able to map out the entire area of moisture intrusion in a home/office without removing any drywall or flooring. They rely on infrared thermal imaging to locate moisture based on temperature differentials and penetration meters to determine the moisture content of materials behind a surface.
This accurate detection of moisture locations will prevent a homeowner from having to perform any unnecessary rebuilding projects and will also ensure that all moisture has been located and removed during the actual process. The longer that moisture stays trapped behind walls, the more damage it will cause to your home and the surrounding infrastructure.
The role of the professional Water Damage Restoration Fort Worth, TX is to assist homeowners with documenting moisture readings, providing documentation for the insured, and reporting to the insurance company with respect to the cause of loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my walls are wet?
The most common signs that there is moisture behind your walls are a musty odor, discolored walls, peeling or flaking, increased humidity levels, and warped/baseboard flooring.
How soon after exposure to water will I see mold grow?
Typically, it takes 24–48 hours from the time the moisture reaches the wall until you see mold develop, depending on the dry air flow conditions.
Does my homeowners' insurance cover hidden water damage?
Most homeowners' insurance policies will cover hidden water damage if the damage occurred due to an unintentional ("sudden") event. In order to obtain an insurance claim, it is necessary to have a report prepared by a qualified Water Damage Restoration Fort Worth, TX provider.
Can I dry out hidden moisture without removing walls?
In most cases, equipment that uses injectidry and/or negative air type drying systems can dry out areas that are hidden from view without requiring you to complete extensive demolition work.
Why should I hire a professional rather than attempt to dry my home out myself?
Attempting to dry out your home on your own is ineffective because you do not have the tools to dry into the walls. This will most likely result in a greater amount of mold growing in the area of the hidden moisture. Certified Water Damage Restoration Fort Worth, TX providers will properly locate hidden moisture, provide effective drying, and maintain compliance with all safety regulations to ensure you and your family's safety.
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