Water intrusion can cause huge damages and costs when unaddressed, and there’s one more problem: it can be difficult to spot. But the bad news ends there. At Dry Force, we specialize in water intrusion detection, inspection, and repair. We can help you identify the signs of water intrusion before it’s too late, and our water damage restoration services can reverse any damage that’s already been done.
Dry Force turns chaos into calm 24/7/365. You can contact our 24/7 emergency service at (866) 570-3254 or contact our experts online.
Table of Contents
What is Water Intrusion?
Water intrusion has a wide definition, with many classifying it as the undesired movement of water or moisture into your home. This includes rising humidity levels, leaks, and seepage of water through walls. Let’s shrink the scale a little by separating water intrusion from events like floods and severe pipe bursts.
Floods and most pipe bursts are immediately noticeable, pushing large amounts of water into your home or business. Water intrusions are sneaky, moving like a secret agent in contrast to a flood’s boldness. In this blog, we’ll help you understand and find this tricky form of water damage.
Examples of Water Intrusion Problems
If you’re wondering how water intrusion can damage your home from the shadows, here are some potential examples:
- Your air conditioner suffers from excessive condensation, which then drips down walls, onto floors, and into vents. Over time, this condensation can increase your home’s humidity and create wet spots.
- Rainwater slips through attic or basement windows, promoting mold growth.
- Appliances like washing machines or water heaters slowly leak, creating pools of water in hard-to-reach areas. This causes mold growth and damages your floors.
Though these are hypotheticals, they are common scenarios that affect millions of homeowners. These issues can go unnoticed for months, if not years, causing thousands of dollars in unseen damages.
Damages Caused By Water Intrusion
The two biggest threats posed by water intrusion are mold growth and structural damage. Often, these two go hand in hand. Water damage creates the perfect environment for mold growth, which occurs 24 to 48 hours after a surface becomes wet—unless the area is dried and dehumidified.
Mold eats away at your building materials, toxifying your air with mold spores as it spreads. Over time, mold growth can become so serious that your walls or ceilings collapse. This is an extreme case, but unfortunately, it does happen.
Regarding regular water damage, building materials like wood, drywall, and insulation will absorb water. When this happens, it can cause these structures to warp, break down, or rot. Issues like these can become widespread and make your home or business more at risk for structural collapse.
Our goal at Dry Force is to make sure you never have to deal with such severe damage.
Common Causes of Water Intrusion
Appliance Leaks: Washing machines, dishwashers, and other appliances can leak and create pools of water in hard-to-reach places.
Plumbing Issues: Leaks from plumbing within your walls can foster a perfect environment for mold growth and structural damage.
Roof and Chimney Damage: Harsh storms and old materials can give way to roof leaks and pooling water. Sometimes, the issue is as small as a hole in your chimney flashing or one missing shingle.
Improper Sealing: If your doors and windows aren’t properly sealed, rain can make its way indoors, quietly setting the scene for lasting water damage. Also, check the caulk on your showers or bathtubs and make sure the water stays contained.
How to Find Out if You Have a Water Intrusion Problem
Yes, water intrusion can be difficult to spot, but it’s certainly not impossible. And not all water damage stays hidden. Let’s turn you into a water intrusion detection expert.
Visible Water Intrusion
The big giveaways are water dripping from ceilings and water pooling in open areas. But you can also spot a pool of water in less obvious spots by inspecting your appliances regularly.
Here are some other signs of water intrusion:
- Mold growth
- Rusted metal surfaces
- Wet spots and discoloration on walls and ceilings
- Warped and rotting wood
Hidden Water Intrusion
Here’s the difficult part. You likely cannot detect most signs of hidden water intrusion—this needs to be left to a professional water intrusion detection team. At Dry Force, we use thermal imaging and advanced monitoring systems to find water damage in hard-to-reach areas. These areas include your home’s foundation, crawl spaces, and elsewhere.
But stay on the lookout for these indicators of hidden water intrusion:
- Leaking and dripping sounds within walls
- Musty, damp smells
- Mysterious, long-lasting low water pressure
- Higher water bills than normal
What To Do If You Have a Water Intrusion Problem
Call a Water Damage Expert
At Dry Force, we’re proud to offer dedicated water removal services and mold removal services. Our team operates 24/7/365, using the latest advances in water damage restoration to detect and fix issues quickly. If you’re in a pinch, we can be on our way promptly. Give us a call at (866) 213-6431. We will use the following method to solve your water intrusion problem.
Water Damage Inspection
As the top water damage restoration company near you, we’re one of few whose equipped with thermal imaging and remote monitoring systems to find hidden water damage. This water damage inspection technology allows us to craft a reliable game plan for restoring your home or business.
Water Removal & Repair
To thoroughly remove excess water from your property, we use scientifically informed methods and top-of-the-line equipment. Our team leaves nothing to chance, draining every last drop of water from hard-to-reach areas. We also use our remote monitoring systems to accurately track progress.
Drying & Dehumidification
We eliminate mold and reduce humidity with drying machines, dehumidifiers, and air scrubbers. If necessary, we will apply disinfectants to restore healthy air quality.
How Do You Know If You Need a Water Intrusion Inspection?
If water intrusion is often hidden, how do you know if you need an inspection for it? This is a common question, and it’s a good one, too. You don’t want to feel like you’re chasing a ghost. Thankfully, water intrusions are easier to find than ghosts are. If you notice any of these issues in your home or business, give Dry Force a call:
- Lasting mold problems
- Wet spots and discoloration on walls
- Musty, damp smells with no explanation
- High humidity in specific areas
Hire Dry Force For Water Intrusion Detection & Cleanup
When your home or business needs highly trusted water damage restoration services in Texas, including Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and more—then call your local experts at (866) 213-6431.
At Dry Force, we have turned chaos into calm for over 20 years, saving Texas homes and businesses from disaster 24/7/365. Our emphasis on expert service with fast response times has made us one of the state’s most reliable choices for water intrusion detection and water damage inspection.
It takes an expert staff to find and service hidden water intrusion. All our employees have multiple certifications and a deep understanding of the industry’s most advanced technologies. Where some companies might make unnecessary demolitions to service your water damage, we use remote monitoring systems to build accurate, cost-effective solutions.
Our personalized solutions reduce your emotional and financial stress, effectively restoring your property while taking it easy on your wallet. Our job isn’t done until your safety and satisfaction are guaranteed.