Have you seen signs of water damage in your home or business? If so, you are not alone. Water damage is one of the most common reasons for homeowners and businesses to contact their insurance companies.
But if signs of water or flood damage are not spotted early enough, it can lead to expensive restoration or repairs that could have been avoided with a little more attention.
This blog will discuss some signs that indicate there could be water damage on the property, how to spot them, and what are the steps to take.
See Also - Ultimate Guide To Water Damage Restoration
HOW TO DETECT WATER DAMAGE
Water Stains on Walls
If you notice water stains on your walls or ceilings, there could be signs of leakage. Check the stained area for signs of bubbling paint as well. The best way to catch this early is by regularly checking and inspecting areas that are prone to leaks like roofs and pipes.
Also, check around windows and doors where signs of water damage may be a little harder to spot.
You must be aware of signs of water damage on walls or ceilings because this will allow you to catch the problem before it leads to bigger expenses and costly repairs down the road.
Water Stains in Attic
Water stains on the ceiling or walls of an attic are signs that there has been water damage. But these signs can be harder to spot because it is not at eye level. If you notice areas with mold, this could also be a sign of water damage.
Also check around windows and doors for signs like bubbling paint, musty smells, and signs of mold.
If you catch signs of water damage in the attic early enough, it can be easier to fix the problem before it leads to more expensive repairs down the road.
Water Stains On Basement Floor
Water stains on a basement floor or walls can indicate water damage. Also check for signs of mold and mildew as well, because this could be an indication that there is more than just surface-level water leakage going on.
If you spot these early enough, it may take some time to fix the problem (depending), but not nearly as much as it would if the problem was left untreated.
Water Stains on Foundation Walls
If you notice water stains on your foundation walls, this could be a sign that there has been leaking through the cracks in the wall.
You should check these areas regularly for signs of damage and discoloration as well as bubbles under paint or peeling wallpaper. If left unchecked, it can lead to more expensive repairs down the road.
Humidity & Moisture
If you have signs of water damage, then it is also important to look for signs of humidity and moisture as well. One way to do this would be by looking at the wood on your property.
You should check any areas that are made up of or contain wood, like fences, decks, stairs, patios, or even trees around your property for signs of weathering or rot because this can be a sign that you have signs of water damage.
You should also keep an eye out for signs like discoloration, blisters, and bubbling paint as well on the wood to indicate signs of moisture underneath it.
If signs of water damage are not spotted early enough, it could lead to the growth of mold behind your walls. Many types of mold are harmful to your health and should be dealt with immediately. Knowing what to do immediately after discovering water damage can save your property from needing much more invasive repairs later on.
You may be dealing with mold growth or if you notice a musty, mildew smell around your property. Anything that has the potential to be harmful like this should always be dealt with immediately by mold removal specialists so it does not become an even bigger issue. Molds usually start as a small spot and can quickly spread if you do not catch it early enough.
And, while it is true that there are thousands of types of mold, toxic black mold is one type that should always be dealt with immediately by professionals because this particular type has been known to be harmful to people's health.
Strange Noises / Dripping Sounds
There are a lot of causes of water damage. So If signs of water damage are not spotted early enough, it could lead to strange noises that may seem out of place.
You may also notice a dripping sound that is out of place or persistent because this could be an indicator that you have signs of water damage.
If your HVAC system has not been repaired in some time, it may start to make strange noises and these can oftentimes indicate problems with the ductwork which might be another sign of water damage.
Formation of Rust
Rust is one sign of signs of water damage that may not always be obvious because it does not just show up on wood but can also appear on metal or steel as well.
While rust is a normal occurrence in most areas around the world, if signs are left untreated they could lead to signs like rot and corrosion so it should never be ignored for too long.
Increases In Water Bill
If signs of water damage are not spotted early enough, it could lead to an increase in your monthly water bill.
One way to detect signs of water damage is by comparing the changes in your monthly water bill. If you notice a sudden increase, this could be an indicator that there may be problems with one or more fixtures around your property and they need to be repaired right away.
Also make sure you are checking for leaks on appliances like toilets, faucets, and dishwashers. If you notice that these appliances have signs of leaking during the time when you are not using them or even while they are being used then this could be a telltale sign of water damage because it means there is an issue with your home's plumbing system.
Loose Caulk Around Pipes
You should also keep an eye out for loose caulking around pipes because this can be a sign of water damage.
As you may know, caulk is used to seal up areas between different fixtures so they do not leak and it often comes in white or clear colors but if you notice that the color has changed from its original state, then this can be a sign that you have signs of water damage.
IN CONCLUSION...
If signs of water damage are not spotted early enough, it could lead to a lot more costly issues down the road. This means that signs like moisture or humidity buildup should always be looked for and fixed immediately by professionals so they do not become signs of water damage on your property where you may have already had some kind of signs of water damage in the past.
Make sure you keep signs of water damage on your radar and get any signs like these fixed immediately by professionals so they do not become more costly than just a little caulk around the pipes or baseboards in your home or business.
To avoid and prevent water damage, you must hire professionals who are trained to find signs of water damage and deal with the issue before it becomes a larger, more costly problem.
If you've discovered water damage in your home or business, contact Mold Removal Winnipeg and schedule an inspection and quote today.