How to Indicate the Age of a Water Spot - Water Damage Restoration

Water damage restoration is a common issue for any home, and every now and then the issue is evident and other times it's concealed. Things such as flooding toilets, sinks and bathtubs are typical problems associated with water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. 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 pipe leaking in a hidden location can occur. It's an aggravating problem because you can't see the leak and you won't notice it before the water damage appears.

Nevertheless, when you detect damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are clues indicating a pipe that's leaking or condensation generating the problem. Since the area is hidden, though, it's hard to figure out how long the issue has lasted. Even though there isn't an approach to figure out exactly how long your water damage problem has persisted, there are some ways to diagnose whether the water damage is old or new.

A Guide On Water Damage - Learn about its Time Frame

The following step-by-step process can help you judge whether the damage generated by water is old or new:

  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any outside influences like a heavy rain storm. Damages and spots caused by water can take awhile to surface if the leak is small. If you live in an older house, the water damage spots may have been there for some time. So it's essential to keep a record of the spots you observe while figuring out whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any outside influences like a heavy rain storm. Damages and spots caused by water can take awhile to surface if the leak is small. Older properties may already have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it's essential to keep a record of the spots you observe while figuring out whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: You can touch the spot- this can tell you a lot about the age of the damage generated by water. A newer spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel durable, while an older spot will be mushy and spongy because your material would have absorbed a good amount of moisture.
  • Look for Rings: When you see just a darker spot with no rings around it, this demonstrates that the damage generated by water is new. Older damage generated by water will have rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Discolored rings tell you that the area has been saturated, dried, saturated, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: It's fundamental to be aware of the materials that comprise your walls or ceilings, because things like thick paint or tiles can actually trap moisture. When this is the situation, even a water spot that's small can indicate the accumulation of water has been around for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria, or mold, is present, the damage generated by water has lingered for nearly two to three days.
  • Decay: When your materials decompose from water damage, this is usually the issue of repeat flooding or standing water. Rot usually doesn't happen from the first instance of a leak.

Get Help from a Skillful Water Damage Restoration Contractor

No matter the extent of the damage generated by water, Paul Davis is here to help. Our team of skillful water damage restoration technicians can resolve the issue and have your residence back in great condition. Remedy the problem today before it gets in a worse condition and reach out to us at (403)342-4666 to find a local franchise near your location.