4 Reasons Your Subfloor Is Wet

Why is my subfloor wetWater intrusion is one of the biggest threats your home faces. Nearly all parts of it can experience water damage and require the work of a skilled remediation team in Clairemont Mesa. One of the areas particularly prone to water harm is your subflooring. If the component suffers prolonged exposure, it can develop rot and fail to support the area above it.

Wet surfaces should be treated as soon as possible, but performing this job without knowing the cause of moist subflooring can be challenging. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of things that can cause damp subflooring. Keep reading!

Why is my subfloor wet?

While an occasional spill won’t damage your subflooring, just one gallon of water can penetrate the covering and soak the structure below. If you don’t take action to deal with wet subflooring right away, the situation can escalate and you may need to completely replace your subfloor.

But before the remediation starts and you make your insurance claim, you need to determine the culprit. Here are some issues that can cause damp subflooring:

Ruptured plumbing due to frozen pipes

If the indoor temperature is lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water inside the pipes can freeze. The pressure in unfrozen parts of the pipeline can also rise. As a consequence, the expansion can make the pipe burst and water can start leaking into your subflooring.

Leaking hose in your washing machine or dishwasher

Supply hoses that run to your dishwasher or washing machine run under pressure. You can hear the water as it slams through washing cycles. All this stress weakens lines and results in hairline cracks. As a result, water leaks may develop and reach your subflooring, so make sure to replace your hoses when necessary.

Floodwater in the crawl space

In terms of crawl space flooding, downspouts and gutters may be the main culprits. During rainstorms, your roof collects a large amount of water. But if you fail to clean the gutters regularly, the water has nowhere to escape other than over the gutter.

When your gutters overflow, water pools around the house, which can have an adverse effect on the landscape grading surrounding your foundation. Over time, the water can enter and even flood the crawl space. From there, the water can spread to other parts of your home, including the subflooring.

Even if your gutters are free from debris and collecting water properly, incorrectly positioned downspouts can be a huge problem. Unless they are directed away from the house, water will begin to pool around your home and can reach your crawl space.

Hidden leaks inside your exterior walls

Another entry point for moisture in subflooring is through hidden exterior wall leaks. Even if you can’t see them, they leave a number of signs you can pick up on:

  • Persistent odors: As water drips from leaky pipes inside an exterior wall, the sheetrock and flooring get damp and develop a musty smell. Tracking it down can help you detect hidden leaks.
  • Mold: Mold typically grows in wet areas, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. But if you notice it on baseboards and walls in other rooms, it’s a good sign that you have an undetected water leak.
  • Growing stains: Mold can sometimes linger for quite a while inside your walls. It can lead to large stains, indicating a plumbing problem.

Who do I get to take care of water damage in my Clairemont Mesa home? Just reach out to our trusted technicians!

water damage Clairemont MesaWhen facing water damage, the best option is to call for help. And there’s no one better to turn to than KIC Restoration. We have all the tools and expertise to repair the affected areas and return your home to its former condition. With a home free from water hazards, you’ll regain your peace of mind and roam the streets of Downtown San Diego without a worry in your head.

Hire KIC Restoration at any time of the day!