To the untrained eye, water damage issues can sometimes be difficult to spot. However, not being able to identify water damage can cause more damage to your home. Water damage can rear its ugly head to the surface sometimes years after the initial issues. So how do you know if you actually have water damage in your home? In this article, you will find out 5 signs you have an undiagnosed water damage issue.
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Unpleasant Odors
A major indicator that you are dealing with a water damage issue is that there are unpleasant or musty odors in your home. The odors can come from places such as the basements, walls, or anywhere you have had water collecting for a period of time. A lot of materials used in building houses suck up moisture, such as drywall, because of low air circulation. It will be the perfect breeding ground for mold to progress throughout your home.
A Higher Water Bill
This might seem strange to you at first, but this is a key sign that you have a water damage issue. If you have a higher water bill than normal this could be a sign of a leak somewhere in your home. If this leak has gone unnoticed for a long period of time, then this could indicate a water damage issue.
You See Discoloration
If you see discoloration on the ceiling or on the walls, then you have a water damage issue. The area in question could be wet or dry and appear to have discoloration, typically yellow, brown, or a coppery color. There can also be cracked or peeling paint on the walls, or even bubbling underneath, in addition to the stains.
The Floor Has Changed
A water damage issue can appear as easily in the floors as it can in the walls or ceiling. If you start to notice that the flooring is warped, buckling, sagging, or expanding, then you are most likely a victim of a water damage issue. This is because of water seeping into the floorboards and areas underneath them.
You See Mold
Mold is a clear-cut sign that you have a major water damage issue inside your home. Mold only progresses fast and where you can see it with the build-up of moisture. When you see mold in your home, it is not something to mess around with. You need to properly remove it immediately as well as fix the water damage issue. If you don’t fix your water damage issue, the mold will regrow again.
Water damage is something you need to take care of as soon it is found, but sometimes it can be hard to spot. Remember to check for unpleasant odors, discoloration, changes in the flooring, and mold. These are all 5 signs you have an undiagnosed water damage issue. Checking for these signs can help you avoid further damage to your home.