New-Old Water Spots - Help from Water Damage Restoration Experts
Water damage repair is a common issue for any home, and every now and then the issue is distinct and other times it's indistinct. Things like flooding bathtubs, toilets and sinks are typical problems related to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But plumbing lines run all over your home, and this involves places you can't see like between the floors and inside the walls. Unfortunately a pipe leaking in a concealed area can occur. It's a frustrating obstacle since you can't see what's going on and you won't know before the water damage appears.
For these spaces that aren't visible, it's difficult to check how old the water damage is. Though, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for awhile but because it's been concealed, you don't know how long. There's no way to indicate exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are ways to estimate the age of the water damage.
Evaluate How Old or New Your Water Damage is with This Guidance
You can learn whether the damage generated by water is new or old by following this step-by-step process:
- History of the House: An old home might already have some previous water damage, so it's essential to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea as well, since, if you have a small leak, it can take awhile for a water spot to surface. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when figuring out whether your water damage is old or new.
- History of the House: Take note of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences like a heavy rain storm. Water spots and damages can take some time to materialize if it's a slight leak. An older home might already have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it's fundamental to keep a record of the spots you notice while determining whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
- Touch the Spot: You can feel the spot, because this will reveal a lot about the age of the water damage. A newer spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel durable, while an older spot will be mushy and spongy since your material would have absorbed a fair amount of moisture.
- Look for Rings: When you see one darker spot with no rings around it, this indicates that the water damage is new. Older water damage usually has rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings indicates the age. Different colored and shades of rings reveals that the area has been soaked, dried, soaked, dried, etc.
- Examine the Materials: It's vital to be cognizant of the materials that make up your ceiling or walls, since things like tiles or thick paint can actually trap moisture. When this is the situation, even a water spot that's small can mean the accumulation of water has been around for a period of time.
- Mold Inspection: Bacteria growth typically indicates that the damage generated by water has lingered for nearly two to three days.
- Deterioration: Your material won't decay by the first occurrence of damage generated by water. So when there has been decomposition, this indicates your material has been vulnerable to repeated flooding or standing water.
Get Help from an Experienced Water Damage Repair Contractor
When you're having water damage complications, Paul Davis is here to assist you. It's important to fix any leaks in your house prior to the damage becoming more serious. Our water damage restoration experts can detect dripping pipes and restore your home back to normal conditions no matter how big or small the job is. Contact us today at (403)342-4666 and near your area will be there to assist you.
