The Age of Water Damage – Help from Water Damage Restoration Professionals

When you have clogged bathtubs, toilets or sinks that overflow, you know that you’re in need of water damage restoration. Unfortunately, your home can sustain water damage in ways that aren’t as apparent. Because you have pipes running all over your house, you can have a pipe leaking or an accumulation of condensation between your walls or ceilings. It’s an alarming circumstance because this isn’t visible- you won’t know until you have water damage, and then it’s hard to pinpoint how long the issue has lingered.

It’s hard to check how old or new the water damage is for these spaces that aren’t visible. Nevertheless, you could have a pipe that’s been slightly leaking for awhile but because it’s been hidden, you don’t know how long. There’s no sure way to determine the precise time of the problem, but there are ways to estimate the age of the water damage.

Tips On Damage Generated by Water – Determine its Time Frame

By following the step-by-step process listed below, you’ll be able to indicate how new or old the damage caused by water:

  • History of the House: An older home may already have some previous water damage, so it’s fundamental to keep track of what’s there and to note if the damage changes over a period of time. Keeping track of the weather is a good idea too, because if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a water spot to appear. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when figuring out whether your water damage is old or new.
  • History of the House: If your house has any water spots, it’s essential to keep track of them when figuring out whether damage caused from water is old or new. Additionally, you’ll want to be apprehensive of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your home, since modest leaks can take awhile to appear, and if you understand what’s old and what’s new, you’ll be able to pinpoint your problem quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: You can feel the spot, because this will disclose a lot about the age of the water damage. A newer spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel durable, while an older spot will be mushy and soft because your material would have absorbed a good amount of water.
  • Look for Rings: If you see just a darker spot with no rings around it, this shows that the water damage is new. Older water damage usually has rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Discolored rings tell you that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s critical to know about the materials that comprise your walls or ceilings, since things such as thick paint or tiles can trap moisture. If this is the situation, even a small water spot can mean the buildup of water has been around for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria is there, your water damage has been there for approximately two to three days.
  • Decay: If your materials decay from water damage, this is usually the result of repeat flooding or standing water. Rot usually doesn’t occur from the first situation of a leak.

Dispose of Water Damage & Call Paul

When you’re having problems with damages that are generated by water, Paul Davis’ professional team is here to help out. It’s vital to remedy any leaks in your residence prior to the damage becoming more extensive. Our water damage restoration professionals can detect dripping pipes and restore your home back to normal no matter the size of the job. Reach out to us today at (239) 337-2500 and a local franchise is there to help out.