How to Determine the Age of Water Damage - Water Damage Repair
Water damage repair is a typical problem for any property, and every now and then the problem is obvious and other times it isn't. Things like overflowing toilets, sinks and bathtubs are typical issues connected to water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. But plumbing lines run all over your home, and this involves areas you can't see such as between the floors and inside the walls. It's safe to say that a pipe leaking in a concealed area can happen. It's an irritating obstacle since you can't see the leak and you won't notice it until the water damage appears.
It's difficult to figure out how old or new the water damage is for these areas that can't be seen. Nevertheless, you could have a leaky pipe that was slightly dripping for a period of time but because it's been concealed, you don't know how long. There's no sure way to indicate the precise time of the problem, but there are some approaches to estimate the age of the water damage.
Find Out the Age of Your Water Damage
You can get an estimated time frame of the damage caused from water by taking these steps:
- History of the House: If your residence has any spots from water damage, it's fundamental to keep a record of them when finding out whether damage provoked from water is old or new. Additionally, you'll want to be observant of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a rain storm. Know your property, since smaller leaks can take months to surface, and if you understand what's old and what's new, you'll be able to identify your problem quicker.
- History of the House: An older house might already have some previous damage caused from water, so it's fundamental to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Keeping track of the weather is a great idea too, because if you have a a slow dripping pipe, it can take awhile for a spot to surface. Taking note of your water damages can save you lots of time when finding out whether your water damage is old or new.
- Touch the Spot: If the water spot is old, it will be soft and spongy since during the period of the leaking water, your drywall or ceiling 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: If you see just a darker spot with zero rings around it, this indicates that the damage generated by water is new. Older damage generated by water will have rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Discolored rings tell you that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
- Examine the Materials: Materials such as tiles and thick paint can actually trap water and moisture, so when you have a spot produced by water seeping through one of these, this can mean there's been water lingering for awhile. Being aware of the materials can help you address your water damage issues more efficiently.
- Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria is there, your water damage has lingered for nearly two to three days.
- Decay: Your material doesn't typically decompose by the first case of water damage. And when there has been decomposition, this means your material has been vulnerable to persistent standing water or flooding.
Reach out to Paul Davis - Your Professional Water Damage Repair Contractors
The intensity of your water damage doesn't matter, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of skillful water damage repair contractors can fix the problem and have your residence in a great state. Remedy the problem now before it gets even worse and call us at (403)342-4666 to find a local franchise in your area.
