Water damage can be so much worse than just what you see on the outside. The damages on the outside might not look that bad, but you are not seeing the damage behind the wall. By the time you notice the water damage on your walls and floor, there is probably mold and rot already growing behind it.
Water damage in your walls can also wreak havoc with your electrical systems. When electrical wires get wet it can cause an increase in the electrical current that flows through them. This can lead to short-circuiting fuses and fires inside your walls.
Water that leaks can cause bubbling of paint on your ceilings and walls. When the water runs down behind the walls it can damage the drywall and cause corrosion or mold. The damage to the drywall is what causes the paint, wallpaper, or wall to bulge. According to Fema.gov, it only takes 24-48 hours for mold to start growing on damp areas like wood, drywall, carpets, ceiling tiles, and wallpaper.
Water damage can lead to sinking or uneven floors and rotting inside your walls. Pipes that burst or gain a small leak during winter months can slowly lead to mold growth and eventually health problems or rotting of flooring and walls.
Water damage left unattended for years can lead to structural issues. The rotting of support beams and floor joists can cause parts of your walls to fall. In some cases water damage left attended for years that just gets worse, can cause parts or all of a house to collapse. It is important to address the water damage as soon as you find signs of it to prevent any expensive structural issues like Jacob in Lorton, Va ended up with. This is his story.
Jacob’s Story
Jacob is a 30-year-old IT Specialist in Lorton, Virginia. He has an older house that he has lived in for about 8 years. The house did not have central heat and air. He had a window air conditioner that cooled the entire house.
A year after replacing his old unit, Jacob noticed a bulging in the paint and wall underneath the air conditioner. He just thought it was from the unit being put in. He scraped it down and painted over it. The paint on the wall started bulging again. Jacob also started to notice that every time he turned on any electrical items near where the air conditioner was, the fuses were blowing.
Jacob was becoming concerned that something more serious than just bulging paint was happening inside the walls. As he checked the area around the air conditioner closer he noticed a moldy, rotten smell near where the paint was bulging.
Jacob decided to do some research and see if he could find some answers to what might be going on with his walls. He found that bulging walls and paint can be caused by water damage inside the walls. What he thought was just old paint peeling was starting to look like an even bigger problem. Water in the framing of the walls can turn to mold and mildew quickly and be causing the smell that Jacob sensed. He wondered if water could be causing the issue he was having with the fuses continuing to blow too.
He decided it was time to call in someone to inspect the damages and see what needed to be repaired.
Inspection
Jacob called in a contractor to look at the wall under his air conditioner. The contractor came and inspected the bulging area in the wall. After peeling back the paint and the wet drywall, he confirmed that there was water damage and mold behind it. The air conditioner was not tipped back the way it should have been and leaked inside the walls instead of outside.
The contractor also found that it had ruined the flooring underneath the air conditioner in the corner. The floor had become soft and was starting to rot. The contractor told Jacob that the flooring in that corner, wiring, drywall, and air conditioner would all need to be fixed.
Jacob called in an electrician to consult on the wiring damages. The electrician found that the water dripping into the walls was causing the current to increase so significantly that it was causing the fuses to blow. The wiring in the wall would need to be completely replaced.
Jacob’s solution
Jacob had been considering selling his house and moving closer to his job. He knew that these repairs would need to be made before he could even consider selling. After consulting with the electrician and contractor he was looking at several thousands of dollars in repairs., especially if he was going to look at selling when the repairs were done.
Jacob decided to research some other options online and see what he could do. While researching, he came across Akin Developers and decided to give them a call to see if they could help. After speaking with Jacob on the phone, we set up an appointment to meet with him and look at his home. After viewing and inspecting his home, we offered him a fair price that Jacob accepted.
Jacob’s home closed in about 15 days. He was now free to take the money from the sale of his home to look for a new home closer to his work.
Conclusion
Water damage left unattended can become an expensive and dangerous repair. Moisture in your walls can lead to fires. If you notice bulging paint, softening of your floors, consistently blowing fuses, or strange smells coming from your walls or outlets, get it checked out immediately. Fixing the water damage quickly can save you money on repairs and save you from a possible house fire.
Should you find yourself in Jacob’s situation and need to sell your home quickly for cash-whether with water damage, electrical issues, structural damage, distress, or in perfect condition-contact us here at Akin Developers and see what we can do for you too.
