Follow These Steps to Find Out the Age of Water Spots

Repairs for water damage is a common issue for any property, and every now and then the issue is evident and other times it isn't. Things like 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 such as inside the walls and between the floors. It's safe to say that a leaky pipe in an unseen location can happen. It's an annoying obstacle because you can't see the leak and you won't know until the water damage appears.

Because the pipes are hidden, you can get an approximation of how long you've had water complications by examining the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it's hard to find out an exact timeline, but we have some guidance on how to examine the damage so you can come up with an estimated time on how long you've had water in the damaged space.

Tips On Damage Produced by Water - Determine its Age

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

  • History of the House: An older property may already have some previous damage provoked from water, 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 good idea as well, because if you have a a slow dripping pipe, it can take months for a water spot to surface. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when pinpointing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences such as a heavy rain storm. Damages and spots caused by water can take months to develop if the leak is small. An older house may already have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it's essential to keep a record of the spots you perceive while indicating whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: You'll can check whether the damage caused by water is old or new just by feeling it. An old spot will be squishy since the material has taken in a lot of water. A new spot will be moist, but the material will still have a solid feel to it.
  • Look for Rings: Outlining rings around the damaged spot caused by water shows its age. Think about it like a tree- the more rings, the longer the damage caused by water has been around. Color variations of the spot is also helpful because it shows that the area gets soaked, dries, leaks, dries, so on and so forth. If it's a new water spot, the area will be a single mark with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: It's vital to be aware of the materials that comprise your ceiling or walls, because things such as tiles or thick paint can actually trap the water. When this is the case, even a small water spot can indicate the accumulation of water has been remaining for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria growth normally indicates the damage caused by water has been there for approximately two to three days.
  • Deterioration: When your materials rot from damage caused by water, this is normally the outcome of regular flooding or standing water. Decomposition normally won't occur from the first situation of a leak.

Water Damage Restoration Contractors - Call Paul

No matter the size of the damage caused by water, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of expert water damage restoration technicians can fix the issue and have your residence back in good condition. Remedy the issue today before it gets in a worse condition and contact us at (403)342-4666 for a local franchise in your location.