Executive Summary
- Water intrusion can usually be traced back to poor drainage, structural degradation, failed seals, plumbing leaks, or pressure from saturated soil that pushes moisture into the residential or commercial property.
- Basements, attics, exterior walls, windows, and rooms with lots of plumbing are especially vulnerable to water intrusion.
- Property owners should look for early signs of water intrusion, such as stained or warped building materials, peeling paint, chalky residue on masonry, visible mold, or musty odors.
- To prevent water intrusion, you should maintain proper drainage, seal potential entry points, upgrade old plumbing, and improve indoor ventilation.
Learning How to Catch and Prevent Water Intrusion
Water intrusion is a common issue property owners face, especially in Portland, Oregon, where heavy rain and damp winters are prevalent. It may first manifest as a faint musty smell or an unsightly ceiling stain, but it can eventually spur fungal growth that can negatively impact building materials.
Understanding potential causes of water intrusion is imperative to preventing it. Water intrusion usually happens due to a combination of external factors, such as poor drainage or heavy rainfall, and internal vulnerabilities, like aging pipes or the presence of cracks in your foundation. Water is most likely to infiltrate aging exteriors, low-lying areas like basements, poorly ventilated attics, and leaky windows.
Depending on the unique susceptibilities of the property, property owners may be able to prevent water intrusion by scheduling drainage maintenance, sealing potential entry points, upgrading aging plumbing, or improving indoor ventilation.
This guide outlines how and why water gets inside, early warning signs to look for, and how to stop the problem before it escalates. The information below may be helpful to anyone already dealing with water issues or interested in proactively protecting their property.
Why Water Intrusion Happens
Water intrusion typically occurs due to a mix of environmental factors and building vulnerabilities. Some examples of reasons water intrusion happens are:
- Poor exterior drainage – Land grading or gutter issues can send water toward your property’s foundation rather than away from it.
- Roof or siding failures – Issues with protective barriers, like worn shingles or gaps in flashing, can allow water to infiltrate your property.
- Window and door leaks – Without proper maintenance, seals around windows and doors naturally deteriorate, creating small openings that moisture can seep through.
- Plumbing leaks – Worn pipes or plumbing failures inside walls and under floors can cause symptoms that mimic outside water intrusion.
- Hydrostatic pressure – Saturated soil can press water through cracks or slab joints in your foundation, especially after heavy rain.
Common Early Warning Signs of Water Intrusion
Recognizing early indicators of moisture issues can help property owners prevent extensive damage. Some common signs of water damage after a weather event or pipe malfunction are featured below.
Musty Odors
If you notice a damp smell, especially in basements or crawl spaces, there may be water present.
Staining or Discoloration
If you see yellow, brown, or rust-colored spots on your ceilings, floors, or drywall, there may be water seeping or leaking into your property.
Bubbling or Peeling Paint
If water gets trapped behind painted surfaces, it can push the finish outward or cause it to flake off.
Warped Flooring or Baseboards
If you have swollen or lifted boards, there may be moisture below the surface affecting the materials.
Efflorescence on Walls
Sometimes, evaporated mineral-rich water can leave behind a white, chalky residue on concrete or masonry surfaces.
Visible Mold Growth
Mold typically manifests as fuzzy or spotty patches that are black, green, or white—they are especially common in corners or around vents.
Areas Most at Risk
Some parts of a property are more vulnerable than others due to their location, construction type, or exposure. Some examples of areas in a home or commercial property that are most susceptible to water intrusion are:
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Poorly ventilated or leaky attics
- Damaged exterior walls or siding
- Windows and door frames with old, cracked, or missing seals
- Plumbing-adjacent areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms
How to Prevent Water Intrusion
Knowing how to keep water out of your home or business is essential. For the best results, you should work through the following steps with a qualified professional.
Inspect and Maintain Drainage Systems
It is important to inspect and maintain your drainage systems to ensure water is being directed away from your property after a storm. To help move water away, gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year, and downspouts should extend at least 6 feet away from your foundation.
As the slope in your yard is inspected, consider re-grading if water moves toward vulnerable structures. You may also benefit from having additional stormwater management systems installed, such as bioswales or dry wells.
Seal and Weatherproof Entry Points
If your property features gaps or fissures around windows and doors or other areas that water can enter through, you should use exterior-grade caulk or weatherstripping to seal them. You can also apply waterproof coatings or membranes to vulnerable areas like foundation walls or basement floors. By adding these barriers, you can help prevent moisture from entering the structure.
Upgrade Plumbing and Fixtures
You should not wait for a leak before you take action. Be proactive by replacing old or corroded pipes to reduce the risk of water damage. You can also place leak detection devices in high-risk areas, like under sinks, near water heaters, or in basements, to facilitate early detection of problems and give yourself more time to intervene.
Improve Indoor Ventilation
Just like external leaks, moisture buildup inside the structure can cause water damage. So, you should use dehumidifiers in problem areas, like basements. You should also double-check that attic and crawl space vents are unblocked and functional to prevent humidity from being trapped.
When to Call a Water Damage Professional
Some property owners can handle minor moisture issues with do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions, but severe instances of water intrusion demand professional water damage restoration services. Some examples of scenarios that warrant calling a water damage specialist are:
- Mold keeps returning – Mold may keep coming back despite remediation tactics if there is an ongoing moisture source that has not been appropriately addressed.
- Cracks in the foundation – Properties with fissures in their foundation may have serious structural problems or long-term water pressure issues that need to be fixed by a professional.
- Flooding or saturated walls – If your property is extensively damp or features large amounts of pooled water, you will likely need a professional to perform commercial-grade drying and other steps to water mitigation and repair.
- Uncertain moisture source – If a property owner cannot tell where water is coming from, they can have a professional use state-of-the-art tools, such as thermal cameras and moisture meters, to accurately diagnose the issue.
Water damage restoration is a complex process, and it requires an expert company to do it right. Alpha Environmental provides peace of mind with our expertise.Trust The Professionals for a Thorough Water Damage Restoration
Cost Considerations
Water damage restoration costs can vary based on the extent of damage and the solutions that are used. Some estimates to keep in mind that can help you make informed decisions and be financially prepared are:
- DIY sealing and repairs – Doing basic fixes like gutter cleaning, caulking, and weatherproofing on your own may cost between $50 and $ 500. Still, DIY approaches are not as effective as professional solutions.
- Moisture detection and remediation – Professional inspections and structural drying costs between $500 and $3,000+ on average, but the final costs depend on the size and scope of the project.
- Foundation waterproofing – Having a professional install interior or exterior waterproofing systems typically costs anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 or more.
It is important to note that some types of water damage are covered by homeowners’ or commercial property insurance, particularly if a sudden event causes it. However, most instances of gradual damage are excluded because they can usually be attributed to poor maintenance.
Know the Early Warning Signs of Water Intrusion
By catching water intrusion early on and intervening appropriately, property owners can avoid thousands of dollars worth of damage. You should report any instances of musty smells, peeling paint, or discoloration to a qualified professional as soon as possible. The specialist you contact may seal vulnerable areas, redirect water flow paths, or improve airflow in your property to prevent severe damage.
Alpha Environmental has decades of experience helping homeowners and businesses in Portland identify, prevent, and resolve water intrusion issues. Our skilled team uses advanced tools like thermal imaging and moisture meters to diagnose problems and provide lasting solutions. So, if you are dealing with foundation seepage, mold concerns, or drainage failures, we can tailor services to fit your property’s specific needs.
Reach out to Alpha Environmental to receive an accurate water damage inspection and personalized solution for the best possible outcome.
