Follow These Steps to Find Out the Age of Water Spots

When you have clogged sinks, bathtubs or toilets that flood, it’s obvious that water damage restorations will be needed. Unfortunately, your property can suffer from water damage in ways that aren’t as apparent. Since you have pipes running all over your house, you can have a leaky pipe or a buildup of condensation between your ceilings and walls. It’s an alarming situation since this isn’t in sight- you won’t know until you have water damage, and then it’s difficult to define how long the problem has lingered.

Yet, when you detect water spots on your ceiling or damage to your walls, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation generating the problem. Since the area is concealed, though, it’s difficult to determine how long the problem has been at hand. Although there isn’t a way to know exactly how long your water damage problem has lingered, there are some ways to diagnose whether the water damage is new or old.

A Guide On Damage Induced by Water – Learn about its Age

You can find out whether the damage caused by water is old or new by following this step-by-step process:

  • History of the House: When your house has any water spots, it’s important to take note of them when finding out whether damage generated from water is new or old. Additionally, you’ll want to be cognizant of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as heavy rain. Know your house, because smaller leaks can take some time to appear, and if you know what’s old and what’s new, you’ll be able to pinpoint your problem quicker.
  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences such as a heavy rain storm. Damages and spots derived from water can take some time to appear if the leak is small. An older house may already have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it’s important to take note of the spots you see while determining whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: When the water spot is old, it will be mushy and soft because during the time of the leaking water, your ceiling or drywall has taken in a good amount of water. A newer spot will feel wet but it won’t be soft like an older spot.
  • Look for Rings: Outlining rings around the damaged spot produced by water indicates age. Think about it as if it was a tree- the more rings it has, the longer the water damage has been around. Different shadings of the stain is useful because it indicates that the area leaks, dries, leaks, dries, etcetera. If it’s a brand new spot caused by water, the area will be a single blemish with no rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s critical to be aware of the materials that comprise your ceiling or walls, because things such as tiles or thick paint can trap moisture. When this is the circumstance, even a water spot that’s small can indicate the accumulation of water has been lingering for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria is there, the damage caused by water has been there for approximately two to three days.
  • Rot: When your materials rot from water damage, this is typically the consequence of consistent flooding or standing water. Deterioration typically doesn’t happen from the first instance of leakage.

Get Help from an Experienced Water Damage Repair Specialist

For any water damage restoration needs, call Paul Davis. When there’s a leak that you can’t find, it’s important to reach out to a professional. Paul Davis’ skillful team has the industry knowledge and response time you need to maintain your house. For a local franchise in your area, give us a call at (815) 547-9600 and we’ll get an expert for your assistance.