Follow These Steps to Discover the Age of Water Damage
Water damage repair is a typical problem for any property, and sometimes the problem is discernible and other times it's ambiguous. Things like overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common issues associated with water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. But pipes run all over your property, and this involves places you can't see like inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in an unknown location can happen. It's a frustrating problem because you can't see the leak and you won't notice it until the water damage appears.
However, 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 hidden, though, it's challenging to ascertain how long the problem has been at hand. Even though there isn't a way to know precisely how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is new or old.
Find Out the Time Frame of the Damage Caused by Water
Below are some tips you can follow in order to determine the age of your water damage:
- History of the House: Keep track of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences like a heavy rain storm. Water spots can take awhile to come up if it's a slight leak. An older home could already have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it's critical to keep track of the spots you observe while determining whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
- History of the House: If your house has any water spots, it's critical to keep track of them when figuring out whether your water damage is new or old. Additionally, you'll want to be conscious of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your property, because pipes with a slow drip can take awhile to surface, and if you understand what's new and what's old, you'll be able to diagnose your problem faster.
- Touch the Spot: If the water spot is old, it will be squishy and mushy because during the time of the water leak, your ceiling or drywall has absorbed a good amount of water. A new spot will feel wet but it won't be soft like an older spot.
- Look for Rings: Remember how tree rings determine the age of the tree? The same method can be used for spots created by water. An old water spot is going to have rings around it. They will also be shaded differently because the area gets saturated then dries and gets saturated again then dries again, etcetera. A new spot will be dark with no rings circling it.
- Examine the Materials: It's critical to be aware of the materials that comprise your ceiling or walls, because things like tiles or thick paint can actually trap the water. If this is the circumstance, even a water spot that's small can indicate the buildup of water has been around for a period of time.
- Mold Inspection: When mold has had time to settle in, this implies your water damage has been present for nearly two to three days.
- Decay: If your materials rot from water damage, this is typically the outcome of consistent flooding or standing water. Decomposition typically doesn't happen from the first case of a leak.
Contact Paul Davis - Your Experienced Water Damage Restoration Technicians
For all your water damage restoration needs, get in touch with Paul Davis. When there's a leak that you can't identify, it's fundamental to reach out to a professional. The expert team at Paul Davis has the industry knowledge and response time required to maintain your house. For a local franchise near your area, give us a call at (403)342-4666 and we'll get a professional for your assistance.
