Understanding the various signs of water damage can help you to find issues when they occur with your property. Water damage is particularly detrimental, because it often leads to an exacerbation of damage to your property. Restoration services are often critical in preventing this water damage from leading to additional damage to your home. When water damage occurs on your property, it can lead to damage to the structure of your building. It may also lead to the development of mold on your building. Understanding the signs of water damage will often help to ensure that you catch water-related issues early on before they are allowed to cause additional damage to your property. When your building has been flooded, it will be critical to ensure that you have the water removed effectively in order to protect your property.
Pay Attention to Unusual Sounds
Sound can be a particularly useful resource in identifying water damage to your home. Though any home has its share of noises, it is important to be aware whenever less familiar sounds arise. These sounds are often more apparent during the evening, because it is likely quieter inside of the home. Pay careful attention to sounds of running or dripping water when no water fixtures are being used inside of your house. This is often a sign that your home has sustained water damage.
Inspect your High Risk Areas
Due to the prevalence of plumbing in your home, as well as the possibility of flooding, it is possible for water damage to occur anywhere. Some areas of your home generally pose a higher risk of sustaining water damage than others. Due to this, you need to ensure that you regularly inspect the high risk areas of your home to identify possible signs of water damage. Bathrooms and kitchen areas tend to have the largest plumbing use in the home, which makes them more likely to sustain water damage. You need to check both of these rooms regularly for the signs of water damage to ensure that it isn’t present on your property.
It is also important to note that the basement and attic may go for longer periods of time without being used, so they need to be checked periodically for water damage, as well. When you check these areas, you will want to check for the presence of dampness, rust, stains, cracks, mold, and odors. It is additionally important to check the exterior of the home in order to ensure it isn’t allowing water to penetrate into the building.
Mold Development
Mold development is a common, and extremely dangerous, side effect of water damage. When a building is rather damp or otherwise has sustained water damage, it creates an environment in which mold thrives. Mold can lead to negative health conditions for those that regularly breathe it in. When allowed to remain, it can lead to permanent damage to the health of those that are exposed to it. By keeping an eye out for mold, you may be able to detect water damage early on. Watch for visible mold growth and pay attention to moldy smells in your building.
Pooling Water
Water should pool in inexplicable places inside of your home. These pools are a certain indication that your building may be susceptible to water damage, because the plumbing or other fixtures aren’t operating as they are supposed to. This may indicate an issue with your roof or a problem with your plumbing system. When you are aware of these puddles, you can help to identify the problems associated with them and have it resolved as quickly as possible, minimizing the damage to your building.
Odors
It is extremely common for water damage to cause unpleasant odors within your building. A musty smell is an important sign to look out for when you are paying attention to the signs of water damage. This may be a sign that you have mold or the presence of dampness inside of your home.
Discoloration
Discoloration can be an easy sign to spot when your building has sustained water damage. Keep an eye out for water stains that have developed on your ceilings or walls. Always have them checked out when they occur in your building, because they may indicate a leaky pipe behind the wall. By ignoring the discoloration, it is highly likely that problems will only escalate.
Coldness
A home that has sustained water damage is often much more difficult to keep at a comfortable temperature. The building can become uncomfortably cold and your heating expenses may increase. Check on your HVAC system and your water heater to ensure that these are not the problems causing the coldness. Your water heater should be examined regularly in order to identify a possible cause of the water damage inside of your property.
Check Floors and Walls
The floors and walls are often the biggest indicators that water damage has occurred in your building. When you check your walls, you can help to find water damage early on. Examine the walls carefully for discoloration and cracks along their surface. Walls that have water damage may also exude a swollen appearance and may even be soft to the touch. Not only does this indicate water damage, but it also makes the walls more vulnerable to sustaining additional damage. When you check the floors of your property, you will want to look for buckling or warping floors. White or dark stains that are on your wooden floors may also indicate water damage. Damp carpeting can allow mold and mildew to develop inside of your building, as well.
Water damage can lead to a substantial amount of damage to your building. By becoming familiar with the signs of water damage, you can often ensure that repairs are made early on, which can help to minimize the likelihood of additional problems. At Sawyer Disaster Cleanup & Construction, we offer the broad array of services that are necessary in restoring your home to the best possible condition, even after it has been afflicted by a flood or other type of water damage. To learn more about how our services can restore your building when it shows signs of water damage, contact us at Sawyer Disaster Cleanup & Construction today!
