Water Damage Restoration - Discover the Age of Water Damage
Water damage restoration is a typical problem for any home, and sometimes the problem is discernible and other times it's concealed. Things such as overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are typical problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But plumbing lines run all over your house, and this includes areas you can't see like inside the walls and between the floors. It's safe to say that a pipe leaking in a concealed area can happen. It's a frustrating problem because you can't see what's going on and you won't know until the water damage appears.
It's difficult to establish how old or new the water damage is for these areas that aren't visible. Though, 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 way to determine exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are some ways to estimate the age of the water damage.
Find Out the Lifetime of the Damage Produced by Water
By practicing the tips listed below, you can determine how old or new your water damage:
- History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any strong weather you had in your area like heavy rain. Damages and spots derived from water can take some time to materialize if the leak is small. If your residence is an older home, the spots produced by water damage may have been there for some time. So it's important to take note of the spots you perceive while determining whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
- History of the House: An old property may already have some previous water damage, so it's important 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 as well, since, if you have a a slow leak, it can take some time for a water spot to appear. Taking note of your water damages can save you a lot of hassle when determining whether the damage produced from water is new or old.
- Touch the Spot: You'll can find out whether the damage produced by water is old or new just by touching it. An older spot is going to be spongy since the material has taken in a lot of water. A newer spot is going to be moist, but the material will still feel solid.
- Look for Rings: When you see a darker spot with zero rings around it, this shows that the damage produced by water is new. Older damage produced by water will have rings around it, and like trees, the more rings determines the age. Discolored rings reveals that the area has been soaked, dried, soaked, dried, etc.
- Examine the Materials: It's crucial to know about the materials that comprise your walls or ceilings, because things like tiles or thick paint can trap the water. When this is the case, even a water spot that's small can mean the buildup of water has been lingering for a while.
- Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria, or mold, is there, the damage produced by water has lingered for about two to three days.
- Deterioration: When your materials decompose from damage created by water, this is usually the issue of repeat flooding or standing water. Decomposition usually doesn't occur from the first instance of a leak.
Dispose of Water Damage & Call Paul Davis
No matter the amount of the damage produced by water, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of skillful water damage restoration technicians can resolve the problem and have your property back in great condition. Fix the issue today before it gets worse and get in touch with us at (403)342-4666 to find a local franchise near you.
