Why does my House Have Wet Walls?

Strange as it seems to those who may have never experienced it, but if you’ve ever observed a discoloration or straight up dampness on your walls, it’s a thing. And it probably means you have a moisture problem in your home.  

Signs of a moisture problem in the home

If the walls in your home are often wet, damp, or cold to the touch, even in hot weather, you may have a moisture problem. Here are some signs to look out for to confirm your fears.

• Peeling paint or wallpaper

• Watermarks or staining

• Visible molds

• Water running down inside walls

• A musty, stale odor

• Wet spots on the wall or ceiling after rain

Here are a few potential causes.

1. Condensation

Condensation is one of the most common causes of wet walls in the home. It often occurs when hot, humid air mixes with a dry, cold surface. The fusion of this air results in water droplets on cold surfaces (like your walls). Such is the type of moisture present on your bathroom and kitchen walls.

Too much moisture can become a seedbed for mold growth. But, lucky for you, one can prevent condensation problems with the use of:

Exhaust systems: These systems are effective in ridding moisture development in moisture-prone areas in your home.

Dehumidifiers: A dehumidifier is a tool used to extract excess moisture from rooms that lacks exhaust systems

Ventilation: Good roof ventilation can help maintain the moisture level in the home.

2. Leaks

Of course, if condensation isn't to blame for your wet walls, then you should focus your attention on possible leaks. Narrow your focus to plumbing problems like leaky sinks or bathtubs. Though sometimes, appliances like HVAC systems, dishwashers, or washing machines may be culprits.

If you think the problem with your wall results from a water leak in your Delta Township home, we advise that you adhere to the flowing steps to handle it effectively.

Determine the source of the leak:  If you've conducted a thorough search and couldn't find the source of the leak, contact a home inspector for help.

Fix the leak: What is the cause of the leak? Sometimes, it can result from a plumbing issue. Perhaps, an old pipe in the wall burst. Other times, it can be a result of a roof leak. In the case of plumbing issues, contact a plumber. If you have a leaky roof, you may want to contact a Delta Township roofing contractor to figure out the root source of the leak and fix it. In some cases, you may have to replace the entire roof.

3. Damp

In addition to condensation and leaks, damps can be the reason why you have wet walls at home. Common sources of dampness in the home are:

Rising damp: A damp that affects the walls of buildings. Caused when drywall or plaster soak up water from the ground.

Penetrating damp: Occur due to water infiltration through an external wall and into a property.

Both rising and penetrating damps are caused by insufficient ground and surface drainage. While rising dampness can be repaired by creating enough water drainage, the latter can be fixed by providing proper ventilation to the home and repairing damages pronto.