Signs The Walls In Your Ames Home Need Water Damage Restoration 

In Iowa, many classic styles of architecture are prized: Colonial, Mission, Tudo, Prairie. Some are trendy like tiny homes and “modern farmhouses.”  One is always maligned– The dreaded McMansion!  

But each home has some walls and ceilings susceptible to water damage. With many types of water damage, moisture soaks into the building materials. These surfaces begin to show signs that water damage restoration may be necessary to save your home. From the experts at Restoration 1 of Des Moines, here are a few signs to look for:

Bubbling Paint 

Bubbling, peeling or flaking paint is a major sign that your home has had repetitive water damage. When the gypsum core is exposed to excess moisture, the moisture will be absorbed like a sponge. Then when it evaporates, the moisture will change the paint surface.   

​​Paint blisters or bubbles occur when the paint film lifts from the underlying surface. The loss of adhesion between the paint film and surface is usually caused by heat, moisture or a combination of both.

Streaks and Discoloration

Obvious color changes to your walls and ceilings is another indication of water damage in your home. Unlike damage from other substances such as oil or paint, water damage leaves residue like a fine powder. 

When a water stain comes into contact with latex paint, the stain dissolves into the wet paint layer as the paint dries, causing the discolored mineral contents of the stain to show through the paint to the ceiling surface once again. Don’t just try to paint over these stains. If you don’t fix the underlying issues, stains will often resurface through the new paint.  

Dark, green, or yellowish specks can also be a visible sign of mold.  

Soft, Swollen or Crumbling Drywall

Softened walls are hard to see but are definitely a sign of severe water damage. When the backside of the material gets soaked, the front side looks normal. If you push the area, it might break, crumble or collapse.  

Stains on the Ceiling 

A circular stain with a darker outer ring on the ceiling is the result of a roof or plumbing leak that seeped through the ceiling and evaporated. The ugly and unsightly spot is made of dried, discolored mineral deposits. 

When you see the spot, you need to determine if it is from a hole in the roof, leaking from the HVAC, or due to a water line leak. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell where the source is. Our water damage restoration team will be able to tell after a quick inspection using moisture detection tools. 

Musty Smell

Sometimes you can smell the problem before you see the problem. As mold grows, it gives off VOCs (volatile organic compounds) with a noticeable odor. And poor ventilation increases the moisture, which increases the odor. It is a cycle that you must break- fix the water problem, dry the area, and replace damaged sheetrock.  

If mold is allowed to continue in your home, the spores will spread to other rooms and your HVAC system. It creates ugly stains but can also cause health issues. 

If You Need Water Damage Restoration In Ames

Water damage restoration has many parts, including fixing the water source than matching the color and the texture of the existing walls. Count on our water damage restoration team to help you recover right now. All of the experts are certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).  Our team can help homeowners with fire damage, crawlspace encapsulation, odor removal, or even biohazard clean up.