Expert Water Damage Restoration Guide

Water damage repair is a common issue for any home, and sometimes the issue is obvious and other times it's concealed. Things like flooding bathtubs, toilets and sinks are typical problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. However, plumbing lines run all over your house, and this involves places you can't see such as inside the walls and between the floors. It's safe to say that a leaky pipe in a hidden space can occur. It's an aggravating problem because you can't see the leak and you won't know before the water damage appears.

For these spaces that aren't visible, it's challenging to verify how old or new the damage generated by water is. Though, 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 have a timeline. There's no way to check the precise time of the problem, but there are some approaches to approximate the age of the water damage.

A Guide On Damage Induced by Water - Determine its Time Frame

Listed below are some tips you can follow to figure out the age of your water damage:

  • History of the House: When your residence has any spots from water damage, it's fundamental to take note of them when finding out whether damage provoked from water is old or new. Additionally, you'll want to be aware of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a downpour. Know your home, because pipes with a slow drip can take awhile to surface, and if you know what's new and what's old, you'll be able to pinpoint your issue quicker.
  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences such as a heavy rain storm. Water spots can take awhile to emerge if it's a slight leak. Older properties might have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it's fundamental to take note of the spots you observe while determining whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: You'll be able to establish whether the damage generated by water is old or new just by feeling it. An old spot will be mushy since the material has taken in a lot of moisture. A new spot will be wet, however, the material will still feel solid.
  • Look for Rings: Having rings around your water damage spot reveals age. Consider it as if it was a tree- the more rings, the longer the damage generated by water has been around. Different shadings of the spot is also helpful because it shows that the area leaks, dries, gets saturated, dries, etc. If it's a new water spot, the area will be a single stain with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials such as tiles and thick paint can trap water, so when you have a water spot seeping through one of these, this can mean there's been water lingering for awhile. Being aware of the materials in your house can help you address your water damage problems more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: When mold has had time to colonize, this implies the damage generated by water has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Rot: Rotting material indicates that the damage generated by water is either a repeat offender or that it's extensive because there's standing water. A first case of damage generated by water typically doesn't lead to rot.

Call Paul Davis - Your Expert Water Damage Restoration Technicians

When you're having water damage issues, Paul Davis is here to assist you. It's vital to take care of any dripping pipes on your property prior to the damage becoming more extensive. Our water damage restoration professionals can detect dripping pipes and restore your home back to normal no matter the size of the job. Contact Paul today at +1-403-696-8886 and in your area will be there to assist you.