Water damage is awful to deal with as this seemingly simple and plain substance can lead to so much damage. The sound of dripping that won't stop or the sight of a leak is one for alarm. But there's another possible culprit that can cause water damage: condensation. This soggy phenomenon can be even more dangerous because it seems so innocent and unlikely to be bad — or it can seem that way if you've never had to deal with the aftermath. Those who have had water damage due to condensation tend not to forget it!
Remember, Condensation Is Water
The big deal with condensation is that it is water that sits on a surface for a long time. It doesn't matter if the condensation is thin or evaporates in a few hours; it still puts water into contact with surfaces like drywall and metal that should not have water sitting on them. Condensation forms when moisture condenses out of the air, such as on the exterior of a glass full of cold water in a warm room. If you have a nice, warm room and it's cold outside, you can get condensation on the interior side of the window that can spread onto the windowsill, the frame, and even items you've placed on the windowsill.
Prolonged Contact Increases the Risk of Damage
That water is going to sit there until it evaporates or until you clean it up. In that time, it can soak into the drywall and increase the risk of mold or mildew growth. It can cause papers to yellow and caulking to crack and peel up. Paint can suffer damage too. Condensation may not flood your home, but it can be just as insidious, especially because so much of it is hidden.
Problematic Hidden Spots
A windowpane obscured by condensation may seem like something that should be obvious, but if your blinds or curtains are closed, you're not going to see it. You're not going to see the condensation sitting on the windowsill of that bathroom window that's so high up on the wall. You're also not going to see the condensation that can occur inside your walls.
If you start to smell something mildewy but haven't heard any dripping sounds, you start to notice bizarre cracks in the paint around windows, or you see yellowed wall posters, you could have water damage from condensation. Call a water damage restoration service and have them inspect the area; they can determine the extent of the damage and get as much of the material back into good condition as is possible.
