Methods to Detect if Water Damage is Old or New

Restorations for water damage is a typical problem for any house, and every now and then the problem is noticeable and other times it isn't. Things such as overflowing toilets, sinks and bathtubs are typical problems linked with water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. However, pipes run all over your house, and this includes areas you can't see like between the floors and inside the walls. It's safe to say that a pipe leaking in a hidden location can happen. It's a frustrating obstacle since you can't see the leak and you won't know before the water damage appears.

For these areas that aren't visible, it's hard to verify how old the damage generated by water is. Though, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for awhile but because it's been hidden, you don't have a timeline. There's no way to indicate exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are ways to approximate the age of the water damage.

Learn How Old or New the Damage Produced by Water is with This Guidance

By taking the step-by-step process listed below, you can find out how old or new your water damage:

  • History of the House: When your home has any spots caused from water damage, it's critical to take note of them when figuring out whether damage provoked from water is old or new. In addition, you'll want to be observant of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as heavy rain. Know your house, since modest leaks can take awhile to appear, and if you understand what's new and what's old, you'll be able to identify your problem quicker.
  • History of the House: When your home has any spots caused from water damage, it's critical to take note of them when figuring out whether damage provoked from water is old or new. In addition, you'll want to be observant of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as heavy rain. Know your house, since modest leaks can take awhile to appear, and if you understand what's new and what's old, you'll be able to identify your problem quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: You'll can find out whether the damage generated by water is old or new just by touching it. An old spot is going to be soft because the material has absorbed a good amount of water. A new spot is going to be wet, but the material will still feel solid.
  • Look for Rings: When you see a dark spot with no rings around it, this indicates that the damage generated by water is new. Old damage generated by water will have rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings determines the age. Discolored rings reveals that the spot has been soaked, dried, soaked, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Get to know the material in your house, since water and moisture can get trapped by tiles and thick paint. And if spots produced by water show up through these types of materials, this means the buildup of water has remained for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is present, the damage generated by water has been there for about two to three days.
  • Deterioration: Decomposed material means that the damage generated by water is either happening consistently or that it's serious because there's standing water. A first case of damage generated by water usually won't cause decomposition.

Get Rid of Water Damage & Call Paul

The size of the damage generated by water doesn't matter, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of professional water damage restoration contractors can fix the problem and have your home back in great condition. Fix the problem now before it gets in a worse condition and contact us at (403)342-4666 to find a local franchise near your area.