Water infiltrations can derive from a faulty plumbing system, but it is not uncommon that their cause is another; sometimes rain can make its way into the wall through cracks or gravel nests, or there is a possibility that the foundation has not been waterproofed well. In the long run, infiltrations can cause structural damage, and can also cause the formation of molds which are harmful to health. There are telltale signs that can help you figure out if you have leaks in your home, such as flaking paint or discolored areas. Even the characteristic smell of mold can indicate the presence of a water leak; if you find yourself in the presence of these indicators check the meter or look for any passages in the wall where rain can infiltrate.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing a Wall Leakage
Step 1. Check for water near a wall
If you notice damp carpets or the floor that is always wet in certain areas of the house, then you are surely in the presence of an infiltration.
It is likely to detect the presence of water on the floor near large appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, or in the bathroom, near the sink, toilet or shower
Step 2. Check for discolored areas on the wall
If there is an infiltration into a wall, discolored patches will eventually appear on its surface. If the wall is carpeted, plasterboard, or covered with wood, make sure there are no areas that are faded or have a different color than the surrounding surface.
The faded area usually has an irregular shape
Step 3. Inspect the walls for any visible structural changes
When there are infiltrations, the walls do not have a homogeneous surface, because the passage of water changes their internal balance. The paint (or wallpaper) will have bubbles and detachments.
- Plasterboard walls affected by leaks will appear less solid and you may notice the presence of bubbles or loose sections.
- Walls with advanced leaks may also appear bulging outward. The plasterboard partitions will eventually deform under the weight of the water that saturates them.
Step 4. Look for any signs of bloom or mold
If the infiltration has been present for some time you may notice traces of mold on the wall; at the beginning the efflorescence will manifest itself in a point-like way, with many small black or brown spots. Even if you don't see mold, it may be present inside the water-saturated walls due to infiltration.
Mold can cause allergies and lead to other serious health problems. If you notice mold on a wall, remove it and look for the cause of the infiltration
Step 5. Beware of the musty smell
If the infiltration is not visible you may be able to detect its presence thanks to the smell of mold. The water that infiltrates inside a wall will never dry out, so the wall will begin to give off a damp smell, typical of mold.
- Walls that smell of mold often show other signs of infiltration (eg color change). However, this does not always happen and sometimes it will be your sense of smell alone to determine whether the wall is healthy or not.
- Very thick plasterboard walls can absorb water like sponges; in this case it will be difficult to notice visible signs of infiltration.
Step 6. Listen to the noises
Even if the infiltration has not yet caused any visible damage, you may still discover its presence. When you finish showering, flushing the toilet, or turning off a tap, pay attention for a few seconds to any dripping noises coming from adjacent walls. If you feel them, then there may be a leak in the piping.
Most modern plumbing fixtures are made with PVC piping that amplify the drip sound, making it easier to discover the damage. If you live in an older house with iron pipes it will be more difficult to hear the sound of the leak
Step 7. Keep an eye on your water bill
If there are substantial leaks within your walls, your water bill will increase significantly. For example, according to ISTAT, a family of 4 has an average monthly water consumption of about 30,000 liters. If your consumption is higher and you can't explain why, there is probably a loss.
Of course this will not tell you where the leak is located, but at least you will know if there is a problem or not
Step 8. Make sure that the infiltration is caused by leaks in the hydraulic system
Close all the taps and turn off any appliance that uses water and take note of the value shown on the meter; after about 3 hours check it again. If the consumption is increased it undoubtedly means that there is a leak in the hydraulic system.
If the water meter reading does not change after 3 hours, the infiltration is not caused by a leak in the plumbing system. The water could pass through some cracks in the roof or walls, or it could rise from the foundations
Step 9. Check gutters and downspouts
If the leak is not from the plumbing system, the gutters or downspouts in your home may be clogged. In this case, excessive rain (or melted snow) will not be able to be disposed of properly, so it will infiltrate the roof and walls. If you find that you have this problem, immediately clear the gutters or downspouts of the material that clogs them (pine needles, leaves, etc.) and restore normal water flow.
Even if there are no traces of leaks in your walls, still check gutters and downspouts at least once a year to make sure they are not clogged
Step 10. Look for leaks in foundation walls
If the conditions are right, the water will be able to open passages through the foundation walls of your home. These leaks are rarely caused by a faulty plumbing system. Cracks in the foundations can cause infiltrations resulting from the water present inside the walls and eventually penetrate into the basement. This problem can be solved in 2 ways:
- From the outside, digging a trench around the foundations and protecting the underground part with a sealant and a protective barrier.
- From the inside, removing damaged posts and plasterboard walls and patching cracks with epoxy putty.
Part 2 of 2: Locating the Infiltration
Step 1. Examine the wall moisture using a contact hygrometer
The contact hygrometer is a device used to measure the degree of humidity inside a wall. The measurement is not invasive but takes place, as the name implies, by contact. If you know you have an infiltration in a certain wall, but cannot determine its precise location, place the appliance on it in 5 or 6 different points. The highest measurement will tell you, roughly, the source of the leak.
You can buy or rent a pressure hygrometer at a hardware store or home improvement store. These tools are frequently used by professionals in the sector to test the humidity of the walls and any infiltrations
Step 2. Search for the coldest part affected by the leak with an infrared camera
These thermal imaging cameras detect heat and can measure the temperature of a wall. In the presence of infiltrations and humidity, the wall will be colder than the rest of its surface. Examine the wet wall with the thermal imager to identify the coldest section; when you have found it, you will have identified the closest point to the water entrance.
- Using the infrared camera you will see hot objects red or orange, while cold ones will appear blue or purple.
- You can rent the infrared camera from a professional contractor, DIY center, or photo tools store.
Step 3. Cut the wall to find the source of the infiltration
With a utility knife, draw a line about 25 cm long where you see the signs of the leak (mold, color change, etc.). Then, using a drywall hacksaw, cut along the line you marked earlier. Cut a hole large enough for you to inspect the inside of the wall and look for the source of the leak. If necessary, enlarge the hole so that you can use a flashlight to better see inside the wall.
- Often the area showing the signs of humidity is not exactly positioned in the same place as the leak in the pipe or system. Water can flow out of the pipes or drip several meters into the wall before signs of the leak manifest.
- The utility knife and the drywall hacksaw can be purchased at the hardware store.
