The Age of Water Damage - Help from Water Damage Repair Experts
Restorations for water damage is a typical issue for any property, and every now and then the issue is clear and other times it isn't. Things like overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common problems associated with water damage and you know there is an issue when this occurs. But plumbing lines run all over your home, and this includes areas you can't see such as inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in a hidden area can happen. It's a frustrating obstacle because you can't see the leak and you won't know until the water damage appears.
You can determine how new or old your water issues are by examining the water damage itself since the pipes aren't in sight. Unfortunately, it's hard to find out an exact timeline, but we have some guidance on how to analyze the damage so you can come up with an estimated time on how long you've had water in the damaged space.
Find Out the Age of Your Water Damage
You can find out an approximate time frame of your water damage by taking this step-by-step process:
- History of the House: An older home may already have some previous water damage, so it's critical to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, because if you have a small leak, it can take awhile for a water spot to appear. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether your water damage is new or old.
- History of the House: If your residence has any spots caused from water damage, it's essential to take note of them when finding out whether your water damage is new or old. Also, you'll want to be apprehensive of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your property, because modest leaks can take some time to appear, and if you know what's old and what's new, you'll be able to pinpoint your issue quicker.
- Touch the Spot: If the water spot is old, it will be soft and mushy because during the period of the leaking water, your ceiling or drywall has absorbed a good amount of water. You'll feel wetness with a newer spot but it won't be soft to the touch.
- Look for Rings: If you see one darker spot with zero rings around it, this shows that the damage produced by water is new. Older damage produced by water usually has rings around it, and like trees, the more rings determines the age. Different colored and shades of rings exhibits that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
- Examine the Materials: Learn about the material in your property, because water and moisture can get trapped by tiles and thick paint. So if spots caused by water show up through these, this indicates the buildup of moisture has been lingering for awhile.
- Mold Inspection: When mold has had time to inhabit the space, this indicates that your water damage has lingered for nearly two to three days.
- Rot: Your material won't deteriorate by the first occurrence of water damage. And when there has been deterioration, this indicates your material has been vulnerable to repeated flooding or standing water.
Water Damage Repair Contractors - Get in Touch with Paul Davis
For all your water damage repair emergencies, contact Paul Davis. When there's a pipe dripping that you can't detect, it's essential to call an expert. The expert team at Paul Davis has the industry knowledge and response time you need to get your residence back in order. To find a local franchise in your location, reach out to us at (403)342-4666 and we'll get an expert to come help you.
