Determining the Age of Water Damage – Water Damage Restoration

Repairs for water damage is a common problem for any house, and sometimes the problem is evident and other times it‘s indistinct. Things like flooding toilets, sinks and bathtubs are typical problems related to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. However, plumbing lines run all over your property, and this includes places you can’t see such as inside the walls and between the floors. It’s safe to say that a pipe leaking in a concealed space can happen. It’s a frustrating obstacle because you can’t see the leak and you won’t notice it before the water damage appears.

However, when you notice damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are flags indicating a leaky pipe or condensation generating the issue. Since the area is concealed, though, it’s difficult to ascertain how long the problem has been at hand. Even though there isn’t a way to know exactly how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is old or new.

Evaluate How Old or New Your Water Damage is with These Tips

Below are some tips you can take to evaluate the time frame of your water damage:

  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any strong weather you had in your location such as a downpour. Water spots can take some time to develop if the leak is modest. Older properties might already have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it’s fundamental to keep a record of the spots you notice while finding out whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: When your house has any water spots, it’s fundamental to keep a record of them when figuring out whether your water damage is old or new. Furthermore, you’ll want to be apprehensive of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your house, because modest leaks can take some time to surface, and if you understand what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to diagnose your problem quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: You can feel the spot, because this can reveal a lot about the age of the water damage. A new spot will feel wet but your drywall or ceiling will still feel the same, while an old spot will be spongy and squishy because your material would have absorbed a good amount of moisture.
  • Look for Rings: Having rings around your water damage spot shows age. Remember it like a tree- the more rings it has, the older the water damage is. Color variations of the stain is useful because it reveals that the area gets soaked, dries, gets saturated, dries, etc. If it’s a brand new water spot, the area will be a single blemish with no rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s fundamental to know about the materials that comprise your ceiling or walls, because things such as thick paint or tiles can trap the water. When this is the circumstance, even a small water spot can indicate the buildup of water has been around for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria growth usually means that your water damage has lingered for nearly two to three days.
  • Decay: Your material won’t decay by the first occurrence of water damage. And if there has been deterioration, this indicates your material has been vulnerable to constant standing water or flooding.

Get in Touch with Paul Davis – Your Expert Water Damage Restoration Technicians

When you’re having complications with damages that are generated by water, look no further than Paul Davis. It’s fundamental to fix any leaks on your property prior to the damage becoming more serious. Our water damage restoration professionals can locate a leak and fix your house back to normal no matter how big or small the job is. Reach out to us now at (865) 584-1227 and franchise near your area will be there to help out.