Water damage in older homes

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage

It is no secret that old homes are plagued by problems. The main issue, whether the house is ancient or modern, is the threat of water damage. It does not take long for it to wreak havoc on a home. One broken pipe could be enough to result in damage which requires several hours of labor and thousands of dollars for repair. 
 
Sometimes the water damage your home sustains is very evident and can be spotted easily by the untrained eye. However, it can be a subtle problem as well, creeping up on you and making significant destruction before you realize it is there. No matter the type of water damage, you want to have a professional water damage remediation company come in to help you dry your home out and prevent future problems. SERVPRO of Limestone and Lawrence Counties is always ready to assist you with this. 
 
Some signs that you could have water damage are good to keep an eye out for, especially in your older home. Water stains are telltale signs on your wall or ceiling and are usually evident. If you see one suddenly appear, it is a good time to call up SERVPRO and get a technician to check your home to see where the water is coming from. 
 
Buckling walls and floors are another very clear sign, and is often the mark of a severe problem. Wood or drywall absorbs water, making it swell. The result is buckling which you can feel or see when you are walking over the area. It can occur over time like with a small leak in your shower or can happen suddenly like when an appliance floods your home. 
 
Areas which are crumbling, such as the wood around your windows, molding, or baseboards, is also a sign of water damage. Any crumbling may indicate the wood is disintegrating from water infiltration. 
 
Trust your nose as well. The damage might be hidden from your sight, but many times you can detect it with your nose. If you smell a musty or mildew scent, there may be moisture damage behind your walls. SERVPRO can use special moisture meters to detect such moisture and fix the problem for you. A lot of old houses have a musty, old smell, but in rooms, with water damage, the smell is much stronger. 
 
If you cannot see a leak anywhere, you can sometimes sense it, so listen closely. If you believe there is a hidden leak coming from your roof, you should try using your ears to listen. During a rainstorm, turn everything in the house off including the central air or heat. The goal here is to make the house as quiet as possible; then you can stand in different places where you suspect there is a leak and listen. Water dripping through your roof is a very different sound then water landing on your roof. 
 
If you suspect that you may have damage, give us a call today (256) 233-4033