When you are a first-time homeowner, one of the biggest challenges you may have to deal with is recognizing a problem. Water damage is a significant culprit of damage within a home and can quickly go unnoticed, especially to those who have never dealt with its effects. It can happen anywhere in a home, but it is particularly prone to occur in the bathroom. Because of its high water usage, water damage is bound to occur at least once within a bathroom.
Water Damage Restoration – Anchorage
Mold and mildew are encouraged to grow when moisture makes it into places they shouldn’t be, such as under the tub or between the shower liner and wall. This can eventually lead to wood rot in the walls and subfloor, softening them. If left to worsen, damage can get so severe that the floor or walls can give way. Because of this, it is detrimental to find the signs of water damage and take care of them as soon as possible.
Altered Floors
Changes in the bathroom floors are one of the first signs to show when water damage is present. If you have wooden floorboards, they can crack, stain, or buckle. Bathrooms with tile floors will separate from the ground. If the bathroom’s subflooring is plywood, it will begin to rot away and feel soft or spongy. The floor change will also cause instability, resulting in rocking appliances. Water-damaged bathroom floors that are left unattended can be disastrous. In worst-case scenarios, the entire flooring system under the bathroom can collapse.
Wall And Ceiling Damage
Not only are floors at risk for damage, but the walls and ceilings are also. Condensation is typically why these will sustain damage and begin to show signs. The drywall that has been exposed to excess water will alter by bubbling and becoming softer over time as it absorbs water. The paint or wallpaper on the walls and ceilings will begin to crack, bubble, and peel away from the walls, as it cannot adhere to wet surfaces.
Caulk Or Grout Gaps
The primary purposes of caulk and grout in the bathroom are to keep things adhered to and prevent water from getting in the cracks. Unfortunately, both of these do begin to break down over time. Once they begin deteriorating, they will be unable to perform as intended. Gaps will allow shower and bath water to seep through the walls and subfloor, causing the wood to rot over time. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to reseal caulk and grout as necessary. Grout should be resealed at least every six months, while caulk must be redone every five years. This will depend greatly on the traffic in these bathroom areas, as well as the quality of application and product used.
Any of these can be vast signs of water damage, and it is pertinent that it is addressed immediately. The longer that the issue is ignored, the larger the damage. Professionals at TCM Restoration will be sure to complete the job efficiently to correct water damage immediately.
