When water leaks behind walls, it’s known as “wall saturation.” It’s not a problem that springs up overnight but rather a slow and steady issue that can creep up on you without you ever realizing it’s happening. Wall saturation occurs when water builds up behind the walls of your home and saturates the materials. This can lead to a host of problems from rotting wood to mold and mildew growing on the inside of your home. The good news is there are some preventative measures you can take to keep this from happening on your property.Let’s take a look at why this happens, how to avoid it, and what you should do if water is seeping into your home because these things are inevitable, but they don’t have to be scary!
Why does this happen?
The cause of wall saturation is simple: water gets into your home and there is no way for it to get out. The walls are the last stop for water to escape from your home. They can only hold so much water before it begins to seep through the walls and into the other parts of your home. In many cases, water can get into your walls from above or below the ground. But in most homes, water gets in through holes or cracks in the wall, such as windows, doors, or plumbing leaks.The amount of water that can be trapped in your walls depends on a few factors, including the type of material your walls are made out of, where it’s located, and how much water there is in the room.
How can water get into my walls?
Water often enters your home through the foundation, then flows into the walls, making it incredibly difficult to pinpoint the source. If you’re dealing with a large amount of water in your home, such as during a flood or a storm, the water will flow from the foundation into the walls. Wall saturation can also occur if there is a plumbing leak or something is damaged and water can flow through it into the walls.If there is an open air space above your roof, such as an attic, water can seep through the roof and into the walls. If your walls are made of cinder blocks or other similar materials, water can seep from the ground into the wall. This can happen if there is a large amount of water in the soil around your home.
How to avoid wall saturation
First, you need to figure out where the water is coming from and how much of it there is. If you are experiencing a large amount of water, such as during a flood or a storm, you should contact the proper authorities to have your home inspected. This will help you determine whether there are any problems with your walls that need to be addressed.If you’re dealing with a smaller amount of water, such as a plumbing issue, you can use a few methods to find out where the water is coming from. You can buy a water meter to check the flow of water through the pipes, or you can place copper or PVC pipes in strategic areas of your home to detect the source of the water. If you notice a large amount of water in a certain room, you can use a waterproofing product to help stop the flow and prevent wall saturation.
What should I do if water is seeping into my walls?
The first step is to make sure nothing is damaged. If there is a large amount of water, such as during a flood or a storm, you should make sure to call your insurance company as soon as possible. If you’re dealing with a smaller amount of water, such as a plumbing issue, you can prevent the flow of water by sealing off the source and putting something like a tarp over the area.If you notice that your walls have been saturated, you can use a waterproofing product to prevent the issue from happening again. You can also repair any cracks or holes in the walls to prevent water from seeping in.
Tips for dealing with wall saturation
If you notice that there is a lot of water in the room where the wall is located, shut off the power, water, and gas. This will prevent you from getting electrocuted or from having a gas leak. Then, use a bucket with a lid and clean up the water as best as you can. You can also use sandbags to divert the water away from the wall.Once the water has been dealt with, you can repair any holes or cracks in the walls.
Conclusion
Water is a natural part of our world and a necessary part of living. However, it can be dangerous if it isn’t controlled. If there is too much water in your home, it can cause serious damage and even put your family at risk. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent this from happening. When you know what causes wall saturation and how it occurs, you can take steps to prevent it and keep your home safe.