Water damage is most often found right after a loss or when buying, selling or renting a home. That does not mean it isn't there other times too. Old water losses can still be causing damage today if not properly mitigated. Examples are wood rot and mold for starters. So if you are living in a home that you bought from someone else or could have suffered damage when you were not able to see it, how do you check for water damage?
The recommended search to check your property is from outside to inside and top to bottom. Starting on the outside of your home,
* Is your home at the top of the hill with ground sloping away from the house? Do all the gutters and downspouts direct water away from the home? Clogged gutters, cracked downspouts or anything preventing water from getting away from the home will cause rainwater to pool around the foundation and damage the structure.
* Does the roof appear to be missing shingles? Falling tree branches, hail, or even debris blown up there in a bad storm can damage the shingles allowing rainwater to seep into the attic.
* Are all your doors and windows properly sealed? Even if they keep out the rain, improper seals allow humidity (something we know all about in Georgia) to get into the home which can promote biological growth like mold.
Moving inside the home,
* Check the attic first. It can get very humid and can have trapped rainwater if the roof was ever damaged. Dark, damp, warm places are heaven for mold. Make sure to check vents, around the chimney if you have one, and anywhere two surfaces join together (walls to roof and the peak) as well as making sure the insulation is dry and free of mold.
* On the main levels, go room by room checking for water damage. Check the walls and ceilings for water spots. This damage could be from a plumbing leak or outside water getting into the home from some external damage.
* Looking in and under your cabinets, do you see any water marks, sagging or discoloration? This is a sign that the plumbing is leaking. Be sure to check all water pipes if a leak is suspected.
* When checking the floors, look for sagging or "soft" spots on any floor especially around any water sources (sinks, tubs, washers, toilets, etc.), cracking or warping of tile, laminate or wood flooring, or any wet patches, especially in low traffic areas and anywhere on carpet. These are indicators of water damage under your floor.
* In the basement, apply the same checklist as the main floors and check the water heater for signs of rust or wetness indicating a leak.
* In all rooms and spaces of your home, trust your nose. Any moldy or musty smells are probable indications of mold or mildew which need to be treated right away.
For the health of your family and your home, you should perform these checks regularly to be sure you do not have a water loss continuing to damage your house. If you do find water damage, call ServiceMaster 5 Points Athens to help get the water damage mitigated right away.
