Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary14
Yesterday I noticed one of the baseboards in a room upstairs has cracked and is buckling. It looks like water damage. Right now it’s not wet at all. That room has carpet and it’s not wet either. Checked the attic and nothing I can see. Directly outside the house there is a bit of water draining down the house but not a ton. I assume an eavestrough is plugged but the roof is so high I can’t get up there. I’m hoping it’s a coincidence that’s the same spot inside where the baseboard is cracked but I’m thinking not. Should I call a repair company first or insurance?
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Can you pry the baseboard off to check the drywall at the base of the wall? If it is water damage, the bottom of the drywall might also be water damaged. Can you post a picture of it? Also, when you take off the base board, you should be able to lift the carpet at the edge (off of the carpet gripper around the edge) and see if there is any indication of water on the subfloor. If you do have water damage, caused by water running down the side of the house, then you would notice more water damage or stains, than just the damage to the base board.
Also, on the exterior where the water is running down the side of the house, is there a light fixture or any other penetration through the exterior wall (even a window or such)? If the water is running down the wall, it shouldn't get into the house, as you should have some sort of building paper (exterior sheathing membrane) behind the siding or stucco which should keep the water from coming in. The only place that it might come in is through a penetration. Otherwise, someone didn't install the exterior sheathing membrane correctly - is they didn't weather lap it properly, or there is a tear in it.