Warren Restoration blog

Tag: serious water damage

Photo by Kou Tanaka on Unsplash

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.

Photo by Kou Tanaka on Unsplash
Photo by Kou Tanaka on Unsplash

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.

Water damage exists on a spectrum. While less serious water damage can be tackled by a dedicated DIY-er, emergency water damage requires a water damage restoration team to make your building clean again. Of course, it’s important to be aware of your skill level. Though these are symptoms of “less serious” water damage, don’t try to tackle anything you’re not prepared for.

 

photo by OpenClipart- https://pixabay.com/en/users/OpenClipart-Vectors-30363/
photo by OpenClipart- https://pixabay.com/en/users/OpenClipart-Vectors-30363/

Less serious water damage comes from clean water

Less serious water damage is water that comes from clean sources. Your toilet tank (not the bowl), sinks, or showers are all common causes of clean water leaks. Any water that you could drink counts as less serious water damage. On the other hand, unsafe sources of water damage are automatically emergency water damage even if the leak is small. You don’t need much sewage for it to post a health risk.

Emergency water damage includes mold growth

Mold growth can pose a health risk to anyone breathing in the spores. While mold is all around us without ill effects, the density of spores around a mold growth presents health issues for most people. Children, the elderly, and pets are especially susceptible. Mold is difficult to eradicate, so getting an expert on your side is essential.

Less serious water damage is contained

Water damage that can be contained to a bucket, tub, or only one area of a room is less serious water damage. When everything’s in the same place, it’s easier to clean it up. You don’t have to spend your time chasing drips all over your house. A small area is easier to sanitize thoroughly as well.

Emergency water damage needs to be pumped out

If the water in your home is deeper than you can mop up, you need more than a DIY kit to tackle it. Let the professionals handle pumping out water. Deep water is all but guaranteed to saturate porous surfaces and require deep cleaning that you can’t match at home.

Less serious water damage is caught right away

The sooner you catch a leak, the less damage it can do. Mold doesn’t sprout instantly on contact with water. Deep saturation of drywall, floors, and fabrics doesn’t happen immediately either. If you catch a leak when it starts or very shortly after, you can clean up the water before a lot of long term damage happens. Stay observant, and look out for any sudden changes in water flow or pressure.

Emergency water damage threatens the structure of your home

If the water damage in your home has resulted in a bowing wall or sagging ceiling, call the experts immediately. It’s imperative that you deal with any damage posing a threat to the structure of your home. Common symptoms of serious water damage include buckling/swaying floors, bowed wall paper or paint, and uneven doorways or floors. Before beginning water damage restoration, have your home evaluated for safety.

Serious water damage is beyond the scope of a DIY approach. If your water damage seems too serious, or you’re not an experienced handyman, hang up the tools. A professional water damage restoration team can help you.