Key points
- Grout and tile are not waterproof — water wicks underneath.
- Water spreads under tile to the subfloor and nearby rooms.
- Loose or hollow-sounding tiles are a warning sign.
- Moisture meters find wet subfloor without pulling every tile.
Signs
- Cracked or darkened grout lines
- Tiles that sound hollow or rock underfoot
- Damp baseboards or swelling trim next to tiled areas
- Musty smell in a bathroom or kitchen
How it is handled
We map moisture through the tile and in neighboring rooms with Delmhorst and Protimeter meters and FLIR thermal cameras — see moisture readings explained. Some floors dry in place with air movers and dehumidifiers; others need tile removed so the subfloor can dry. Repairs are done under our Utah DOPL General Contractor license — see flooring removal and replacement. Vault documents the damage, records daily moisture readings, scopes in Xactimate, and bills State Farm, USAA, Allstate, Farmers, and Bear River Mutual directly.
See also leaking shower pan signs and toilet leaking at the base.
Water under your tile?
Call (385) 250-2825 — answered live 24/7 by the Vault crew.
Water damage services · Laminate and vinyl · Hardwood floors
Our Provo water damage restoration crew is an IICRC Certified Firm that bills your insurer directly. Call (385) 250-2825.