Expert Water Damage Restoration Guide - How New is Your Water Damage?

Repairs for water damage is a typical problem for any property, and every now and then the problem is obvious and other times it's ambiguous. Things like flooding sinks, bathtubs or toilets are common issues linked with water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But pipes run all over your home, and this includes areas you can't see like between the floors and inside the walls. It's safe to say that a pipe leaking in a hidden space can happen. It's an aggravating problem because you can't see the leak and you won't know before the water damage appears.

Since the pipes can't be seen, you can get an estimate of how long you've had water complications by examining the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it's hard to figure out a precise timeline, but we have some advice on how to evaluate the damage so you can come up with an estimated time on how long you've had water in the area.

Discover How Old or New the Damage Produced by Water is with This Guidance

By practicing the tips listed below, you can discover how old or new the damage caused by water:

  • History of the House: An older residence could already have some previous water damage, so it's important to keep track of what's there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, because if you have a modest leak, it can take some time for a spot to appear. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when determining whether the damage produced from water is new or old.
  • History of the House: An older residence could already have some previous water damage, so it's important to keep track of what's there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, because if you have a modest leak, it can take some time for a spot to appear. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when determining whether the damage produced from water is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: Go on and touch the spot, because this will reveal a lot about the age of the damage produced by water. A newer spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel strong, while an older spot will be spongy and soft since your material would have taken in a fair amount of water.
  • Look for Rings: When you see just one darker spot with zero rings around it, this demonstrates that the damage produced by water is new. Older damage produced by water usually has rings around it, and like trees, the more rings indicates the age. Discolored rings shows you that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: It's fundamental to be aware of the materials that comprise your ceiling or walls, because things like tiles or thick paint can trap the water. When this is the situation, even a water spot that's small can mean the buildup of water has been lingering for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: If bacteria has had time to inhabit the area, this indicates the damage produced by water has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Rot: When your materials decompose from water damage, this is usually the consequence of regular flooding or standing water. Deterioration usually won't occur from the first situation of leakage.

Get Help from a Skillful Water Damage Restoration Specialist

If you're having complications with damages that are caused by water, Paul Davis' expert team is here to help out. It's critical to remedy any leaks in your home prior to the damage becoming more serious. Our water damage restoration experts can find a leak and repair your property back to normal no matter how big or small the job is. Contact Paul now at (403)342-4666 and franchise near your area is there to help out.