Even clean water will leave a mark on wood, drywall and other building materials. After a building has been damaged by water, it is often difficult to determine whether or not the building materials are safe to use or if they need to be removed and replaced. Paint can be applied to most surfaces and will often hide the water damage. However, just because paint can be used to cover water damage, does not mean that it is a good idea. A home or other building owner needs to be certain that the building material is safe and structurally sound before painting over water damage in Arizona.
When water permeates a home, the moisture can cause dangerous mold to grow. This mold is the most serious health threat that clean water flooding can create. By allowing a home to dry naturally, mold can begin to grow in inaccessible areas such as behind drywall, under carpets and in furniture. Water can also cause building materials to become weakened. Many glues and other adhesives are water soluble and will lose strength after becoming saturated. Weak adhesives can cause floors, wall panels and cabinets to become lose creating a possible safety hazard. Moisture can also cause wood to warp over time, further causing damage to a home’s usefulness and structural health.
Due to all of the problems that water can cause in a home, it is not a good idea to simply cover water damage with paint. Before taking any action to repair the home, the home needs to be inspected to be certain that it is safe. A professional water damage inspection can assess what can be saved and what needs to be replaced. A homeowner should have a professional to inspect the home due to the complexities of mold growth and structural damage that moisture can cause.
If it is determined that it is safe to paint over water damaged materials, it is often necessary to use a stain blocking primer before painting. This primer will keep the moisture stains in the material from bleeding through the paint.
