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

Repairs for water damage is a common issue for any house, and every now and then the issue is discernible and other times it isn't. Things like overflowing sinks, bathtubs or toilets are typical problems linked with water damage and you know there is an issue when this occurs. But pipes run all over your home, and this includes areas you can't see such as inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in a hidden space can happen. It's an annoying obstacle because you can't see the leak and you won't notice it before the water damage appears.

For these spaces that aren't visible, it's challenging to verify how old the damage caused by water is. After all, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for a period of time but because it's not in plain sight, you don't know how long. There's no way to figure out the precise time of the problem, but there are some ways to estimate the age of the water damage.

Find Out How Old or New Your Water Damage is with This Guidance

You can figure out whether the damage caused by water is old or new by using these tips:

  • History of the House: An older house may already have some previous water damage, so it's critical to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea as well, because if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a spot to surface. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when figuring out whether the damage caused from water is old or new.
  • History of the House: An older house may already have some previous water damage, so it's critical to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea as well, because if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a spot to surface. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when figuring out whether the damage caused from water is old or new.
  • Touch the Spot: You'll be able to check whether the damage caused by water is old or new just by feeling it. An older spot is going to be soft because the material has absorbed a lot of moisture. A newer spot is going to be wet, however, the material will still have a solid feel to it.
  • Look for Rings: When you see one darker spot with zero rings around it, this shows that the damage caused by water is new. Older damage caused by water usually has rings around it, and like trees, the more rings determines the age. Different colored and shades of rings reveals that the area has been saturated, dried, saturated, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Get to know the material around your house, because water and moisture can become trapped by tiles and thick paint. So if spots caused by water show up through these types of materials, this indicates the buildup of moisture has remained for awhile.
  • Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria, or mold, is present, the damage caused by water has lingered for about two to three days.
  • Decomposition: When your materials decompose from water damage, this is usually the issue of repeat flooding or standing water. Decomposition usually won't happen from the first case of a leak.

Eliminate Damage Produced by Water & Call Paul Davis

No matter the measure of the damage caused by water, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of experienced water damage repair technicians can fix the issue and have your home in a great state. Remedy the problem now before it gets in a worse condition and call us at (403)342-4666 for a local franchise near you.