A Guidance to Indicate the Age of Water Damage

Repairs for water damage is a typical problem for any home, and sometimes the problem is noticeable and other times it‘s indistinct. Things such as flooding toilets, sinks and bathtubs are typical problems related to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But pipes run all over your home, and this involves areas you can’t see like between the floors and inside the walls. Unfortunately a pipe leaking in an unseen area can occur. It’s a frustrating problem because you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t be aware until the water damage appears.

But, when you detect damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are the sure signs of a pipe that’s leaking or condensation generating the problem. Because the area is unseen, though, it’s difficult to ascertain how long the problem has lasted. Even though there isn’t a way to know precisely how long your water damage problem has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is new or old.

A Step-by-Step On Damage Produced by Water – Determine its Age

Below are some tips you can take to figure out the time frame of your water damage:

  • History of the House: An old house could already have some previous water damage, so it’s effective to keep track of what’s there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea as well, because if you have a a slow dripping pipe, it can take months for a water spot to surface. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: When your residence has any spots caused from water damage, it’s essential to keep track of them when figuring out whether damage generated from water is new or old. Also, you’ll want to be conscious of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as a rain storm. Know your home, because smaller leaks can take some time to surface, and if you understand what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to identify your problem quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: When the water spot is old, it will be squishy and spongy because during the time of the water leak, your ceiling or drywall has taken in a good amount of water. A newer spot will feel wet but it won’t be soft like an older spot.
  • Look for Rings: You know how tree rings show how old a tree is? The same idea can be used towards spots produced by water. An old water spot will have rings around it. They will also be discolored because the spot gets soaked then dries and gets soaked again then dries again, etcetera. A new spot will be dark with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials like thick paint and tiles can actually trap water and moisture, so if you have a spot caused by water seeping through one of these, this can mean there’s been a buildup of water for awhile. Being aware of the materials in your home can help you focus on your water damage problems more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is present, your water damage has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Rot: When your materials rot from damage created by water, this is typically the outcome of regular flooding or standing water. Rot typically doesn’t happen from the first case of a leak.

Reach out to Paul – Your Experienced Water Damage Restoration Technicians

For all your water damage restoration emergencies, get in touch with Paul Davis. When there’s a pipe dripping that you can’t identify, it’s critical to reach out to an expert. The professional team at Paul Davis has the experience and response time required to maintain your residence. To find a local franchise in your location, call us at (724) 758-6540 and we’ll get a professional to come help you.