Water Damage Repair - Indicate the Age of Water Damage

When you have backed-up bathtubs, toilets or sinks that overflow, you know that you're in need of water damage restoration. Still, your residence can come under water damage in ways that aren't as apparent. Since you have pipes running throughout your property, you can have a leaky pipe or a buildup of condensation between your walls or ceilings. It's a difficult incident since this isn't in sight- you won't recognize it until you there's water damage, and then it's difficult to identify how long the issue has persisted.

For these spaces that aren't visible, it's challenging to check how old or new the water damage is. Though, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for a period of time but because it's not in plain sight, you don't know how long. There's no way to find out exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are some ways to approximate the age of the water damage.

Determine the Time Frame of Your Water Damage

By practicing the tips listed below, you can determine how old or new your water damage:

• History of the House: If your property has any spots caused from water damage, it's fundamental to keep track of them when figuring out whether damage provoked from water is old or new. In addition, you'll want to be cognizant of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a downpour. Know your property, because pipes with a slow drip can take months to appear, and if you understand what's new and what's old, you'll be able to identify your issue faster.
• History of the House: If your property has any spots caused from water damage, it's fundamental to keep track of them when figuring out whether damage provoked from water is old or new. In addition, you'll want to be cognizant of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a downpour. Know your property, because pipes with a slow drip can take months to appear, and if you understand what's new and what's old, you'll be able to identify your issue faster.
• Touch the Spot: If the water spot is aged, it will be spongy and squishy because during the time of the leaking water, 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: Remember how tree rings determine how old a tree is? The same method can be used towards spots produced by water. An older water spot is going to have rings around it. They can also be shaded differently because the spot gets saturated then dries and gets saturated again then dries again, etcetera. A newer spot will be darker with zero rings circling it.
• Examine the Materials: Materials like tiles and thick paint can actually trap water and moisture, so when you have a water spot seeping through one of these, this can mean there's been a buildup of water for a period of time. Knowing the materials around your home can help you address your water damage issues more effectively.
• Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria is there, the damage generated by water has lingered for nearly two to three days.
• Decomposition: Deteriorated material indicates that the damage generated by water is either a repeat offender or that it's serious because there's standing water. A first instance of water damage typically doesn't lead to rot.

Get a Professional Water Damage Repair Contractor

When you're having water damage problems, look no further than Paul Davis. It's essential to fix any leaks on your property prior to the damage becoming more serious. Our water damage restoration experts can detect dripping pipes and restore your property back to normal conditions no matter the size of the job. Get in touch with us now at (403)342-4666 and a local franchise is there to help out.