How to spot water damage
6/4/2020 (Permalink)
Water damage to a home is a much more serious problem than many people realize. Aside from the obvious property damage, water damage can lead to a myriad of health issues including allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory issues.
Fortunately, there are ways you can spot water damage in your home. It goes without saying that not all damage is going to be visible. Water can leak in hidden places like the inside of the walls which you’ll likely not notice unless and until some severe damage has been done. This is why you need to do some up close inspection to detect damage. Spotting the problem areas early on will certainly help you ward off future issues that can prove costly.
With that in mind, here are some of the most common indications of damage that may enable you to determine if water is leaking in your home.
1) Water Stains
An obvious, telltale sign of water damage! Stains or slight color discolorations that appear on the wall, floor or ceiling without any apparent reason are most likely an undetected water leak in your roof or walls. While inspecting the surface of your walls/ceilings may be an obvious step, be sure to take a close look at the corners where the walls meet the ceiling, floors and each other for discoloration as well.
2) Humidity and Dampness
Unexplained humidity or dampness in your home can be a sign of an undetected water leak. Check for wet surfaces (such as counters and walls) where water shouldn’t be accumulating. Oftentimes, a leak nearby is the culprit.
3) Mold
Mold can be found anywhere moisture and oxygen are present. Unless it’s simply a case of finding a small amount on your shower curtain liner, mold in your home is a serious problem. A mold problem is usually indicative of one or both of two things: humidity issues or a water leak. In cases of mold, unless the source of the excess water is apparent, a professional is necessary.
4) Strange Noises/Dripping
While the sound of water dripping is obvious, leaking water can sometimes take on deceptive sounds in a home. Listen closely when the house is at its quietest moments (night time when the traffic outside is at a minimum and most people are sleeping). Water leaks can sometimes be identified by a scratching or rushing noise not necessarily associated in our minds with water.
5) Soft Spots or Paint Damage
Paint and wood are often the first to show signs of water damage in a home. Warped floorboards or peeling paint is often a reliable sign of water damage.