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When a Small Repair Is Really a Moisture Problem
A handyman can make almost any surface look new. If water is behind the problem, the repair will look good for a few weeks and then fail the same way. In a climate this humid, it is worth ruling moisture out first.
Signs the cause is water
- Paint that bubbles, blisters or peels in the same spot again
- A yellow or brown stain that returns through fresh paint
- Baseboards that are swollen, soft or pulling off the wall
- Laminate or vinyl flooring that lifts, cups or separates at the seams
- Drywall that feels soft or crumbles at the bottom
- Caulk that turns black again shortly after being replaced
- A musty smell in a closet, cabinet or room
- Rust on the heads of drywall screws or on metal corner trim
Where the water usually comes from
- A roof leak, often far from where the stain shows
- A supply line, drain or shower valve inside the wall
- A clogged AC drain line or a sweating duct
- Rain getting in around a window or door
- High indoor humidity in a closed-up home with the AC off
Quick checks you can do
- Press on the wall or baseboard. Sound material is hard.
- Look at the other side of the wall and the room above.
- Note whether it gets worse after rain, after showers or when the AC runs.
- Check under the nearest sink and around the air handler.
The right order of work
- Stop the water. A licensed plumber, roofer or AC contractor fixes the source.
- Dry the area and deal with any mold. This is what our sister company DryMiami does.
- Rebuild and finish. New drywall, texture, baseboards, paint. This is our part.
Skipping the first two steps is how people end up paying for the same repair twice.
What to send us
If you are not sure which case you have, include photos of the damage, the wider area and anything above or behind it, and tell us how long it has been there and whether it has been repaired before. If it looks like moisture, we will tell you before quoting any finish work. Send us your list to start.
Rather have someone do it?
Send us your list with a few photos and get one written quote for all of it.
