Water Damage - How Old is it? - Discover by Following These Tips

Water damage repair is a typical problem for any property, and every now and then the problem is clear and other times it's indistinct. Things like overflowing toilets, sinks and bathtubs are common problems connected to water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. However, plumbing lines run all over your home, and this includes places you can't see like inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in a hidden location can happen. It's a frustrating problem since you can't see what's going on and you won't be aware until the water damage appears.

It's challenging to establish how old or new the the damage caused by water is for these areas that can't be seen. After all, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for awhile but because it's been hidden, you don't know how long. There's no way to indicate exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are methods to estimate the age of the water damage.

A Guide On Water Damage - Determine its Time Frame

The following tips can help you judge whether the damage caused by water is new or old:

  • History of the House: An old residence might already have some previous damage produced from water, so it's effective to keep track of what's there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, since, if you have a modest leak, it can take awhile for a water spot to appear. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: An old residence might already have some previous damage produced from water, so it's effective to keep track of what's there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, since, if you have a modest leak, it can take awhile for a water spot to appear. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: You can feel the spot- this will disclose a lot about the age of the damage caused by water. A new spot will be wet but your ceiling or drywall will still be the same, while an old spot will be spongy and squishy since your material would have absorbed a fair amount of moisture.
  • Look for Rings: If you see one dark spot with zero rings around it, this indicates that the damage caused by water is new. Old damage caused by water will have rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Discolored rings reveals that the area has been soaked, dried, soaked, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Learn about the material around your property, since water can become trapped by tiles and thick paint. So if spots produced by water show up through these types of materials, this means the accumulation of water has remained for awhile.
  • Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria, or mold, is there, the damage caused by water has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Deterioration: Your material won't rot by the first case of water damage. So when there has been decomposition, this means your material has been vulnerable to persistent flooding or standing water.

Contact Paul - Your Skillful Water Damage Restoration Technicians

For any water damage restoration needs, call Paul Davis. If there's a leak that you can't detect, it's essential to contact a professional. Paul Davis' skillful team has the industry knowledge and response time required to maintain your house. To find a local franchise near your location, give us a call at (403)342-4666 and we'll get a professional for your assistance.