Bubbling Walls Or Ceilings After Water Damage

Here at PCS/PRS Southern, we have seen the effects that water damage can have on walls and ceilings. Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper is one that we encounter frequently when dealing with water damage repair, which is actually quite fascinating when you stop to think about it. Sometimes it appears as though bubbles are growing out of the walls themselves, and on large ones, you can even touch them and feel the water moving behind them. 

Water Damage Repair Trumbull

Let’s examine how water damage can cause this peculiar phenomenon to occur and what that entails for water damage repair.

When water damage gets behind your walls or above the ceiling, you can start to see bubbles form. Water from slow leaks, burst pipes, plumbing issues, high humidity, or heavy rain will try to escape as it accumulates under the surface of your walls or ceiling. For wood or sheetrock or even drywall alone, the water will just soak through. But, when you add paint or wallpaper, that is when bubbles can occur. Since latex is a component of most paint, it functions as a kind of water barrier and creates elasticity in the wall. As a result, water will simply push through the wall and collect behind the latex paint rather than seep out of it. Because of this elasticity, it allows the paint to expand and stretch in response to the extra water building up behind it. Think of a latex glove, it will stretch, expand, and contract if you fill it with water, the same as a water balloon. Water bubbles on walls don’t tend to grow as large as water bubbles on ceilings (thanks to gravity), but ceiling ones can swell immensely and hold gallons of water before finally reaching their breaking point. *Side note, if you want to see some fascinating pictures, google water bubbles on ceilings. Some are quite impressive!

Now that we have a better understanding of how water damage might cause our walls and ceilings to bubble, let’s discuss what you should do if this issue arises in your home. You must first identify the source of the water that is accumulating behind your walls or in your ceiling. If the water leak is not stopped and water damage repairs are not performed quickly, it can cause even more damage and lead to mold development. Once the source of the water has been identified and stopped, you can focus on the water damage repair for the walls and ceilings. 

The first step to water damage repairs for bubbles in walls and ceilings is to remove the water. This may mean you need to ‘pop’ the bubbles, but be sure to have the means to catch the water so it doesn’t cause more damage upon release. If you are unsure of how much water is behind the walls or in the ceiling, you may want to consider calling for help so you don’t make matters worse. Water damage repair specialists will be able to help identify the source, get it stopped, safely remove the water, ensure adequate drying, and make any necessary water damage repairs. If you notice bubbling walls or ceilings, call PCS/PRS Southern to help with water damage repair.