Water Damage - How New is it? - Find Out by Following These Steps
Restorations for water damage is a typical issue for any home, and sometimes the issue is noticeable and other times it's concealed. Things like overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common issues related to water damage and you know there is an issue when this occurs. But pipes run all over your house, and this includes areas you can't see such as between the floors and inside the walls. It's safe to say that a leaky pipe in an unknown location can happen. It's an annoying obstacle since you can't see the leak and you won't notice it until the water damage appears.
But, when you notice damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation generating the issue. Since the space is concealed, though, it's tough to figure out how long the issue has lasted. Although there isn't a way to know exactly how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to diagnose whether the water damage is new or old.
Evaluate How Old or New Your Water Damage is with These Steps
Below are a few steps you can take to evaluate the time frame of your water damage:
- History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any strong weather you had in your area such as a heavy rain storm. Water spots and damages can take some time to pop up if it's a slight leak. If you reside in an older home, the spots generated by water damage could have been there for some time. So it's essential to keep a record of the spots you observe while determining whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
- History of the House: An old house could already have some previous water damage, so it's critical to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a good idea too, since, if you have a a slow leak, it can take awhile for a spot to appear. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when diagnosing whether the damage generated from water is new or old.
- Touch the Spot: You'll be able to indicate whether the damage generated by water is new or old just by feeling it. An older spot is going to be soft since the material has taken in a good amount of water. A newer spot is going to be moist, but the material will still feel solid.
- Look for Rings: When you see one darker spot with zero rings around it, this indicates that the water damage is new. Older water damage usually has rings around it, and like trees, the more rings indicates the age. Different colored and shades of rings exhibits that the spot has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
- Examine the Materials: It's important to be aware of the materials that make up your ceiling or walls, since things such as thick paint or tiles can actually trap moisture. When this is the situation, even a water spot that's small can indicate the accumulation of water has been remaining for a while.
- Mold Inspection: When mold has had time to inhabit the area, this indicates the damage generated by water has been there for about two to three days.
- Decay: When your materials decay from water damage, this is normally the consequence of regular flooding or standing water. Deterioration normally doesn't occur from the first case of leakage.
Dispose of Water Damage & Call Paul Davis
For all your water damage repair emergencies, call Paul Davis. When there's a pipe dripping that you can't identify, it's vital to call a professional. Paul Davis' skillful team has the know-how and response time you need to get your house back in order. To find a local franchise near your area, give us a call at (403)342-4666 and we'll get a professional to come help you.
