Property owners in Baltimore should be aware of the dangers and symptoms of water damage. Baltimore’s annual rainfall levels cause flooding in areas of the city, creating water damage for homes and businesses. The city’s mixture of historic houses and modern construction requires remediation specialists to use different approaches to damage detection.
Common Water Damage Signs in Baltimore Properties
Water damage manifests differently depending on the property type and location. The damage will appear differently depending on the building materials. For example, water stains appear differently on Baltimore’s characteristic brick facades versus interior drywall. The city’s high humidity levels contribute to your property’s interior moisture levels, creating damp environments that promote mold growth. Common signs of water damage include paint bubbling and peeling, mold, musty odors, and wet walls.
Basement apartments are common in neighborhoods like Charles Village and Mount Vernon, but this type of residence makes it difficult to detect water damage and mold detection. Musty, mildewy odors are signs mold is growing somewhere within the property. A professional water damage remediation can use mold detection technology to pinpoint the mold’s location, remove it, and follow up with remediation services to prevent regrowth.
Location-Specific Water Damage Patterns
Looking out for basement water damage signs can give you a chance to fix these issues before they become much worse. Peeling paint, water stains, and standing puddles of water can do major damage to not only your basement but your foundation as well. As water builds up in the lower levels of your building, it may seep into the soil surrounding the foundation and cause foundation shifts.
Check the walls and floors. Foundation cracks can occur and lead to serious problems for your home, such as structural concerns. Buckling walls, sinking floors, and wood rot are all signs of severe water damage that should be handled immediately. Structural damage can become a safety hazard that puts your family in harm’s way. Professional water damage repair companies can help you eliminate safety hazards and remove water damage from your home or business
Hidden Water Damage Indicators
Property owners should know the early warning signs of water damage. Understanding the symptoms of water damage allows home and business owners to know when professional repairs are necessary. Wooden floor joists and subflooring can sometimes reveal hidden water damage in your home. Water damage can also cause wood panels to buckle and separate from the subfloor. If your wooden floors have discolorations or peeling finishes, this is an early sign you need to call a water damage remediation company.
Baltimore’s seasonal temperature fluctuations can affect your drainage system and cause pipe damage. Freezing temperatures can lead to frozen pipes, a problem that can lead to severe water damage. Frozen pipes can burst and cause a large amount of water to rapidly enter your home. This can lead to foundation shifts, mold and mildew growth, and a ruined interior.
Environmental Impact on Water Damage
Baltimore experiences unique weather conditions that affect how water damage manifests. As a city that experiences coastal humidity, buildings in the area may have higher moisture levels than normal. Most building materials are not engineered to handle high humidity levels, and prolonged exposure to moist conditions can lead to rapid damage progression.
Freeze-thaw cycles in the colder months can wreak havoc on Baltimore buildings, especially aging homes. As water continuously freezes and thaws, water will seep into the soil surrounding your property’s foundation. As the freeze-thaw cycle continues, the soil will expand, shifting your foundation. Foundation shifts can lead to long-term structural damages that can reduce your property value and make your building unsafe.
Professional Assessment and Next Steps
Professional assessments can give you a clearer picture of what exactly happened to your property after a severe storm. Experienced water damage technicians can help property owners understand what to do after heavy rainfall or snowmelt causes damage to their homes or businesses.
Category 3 (black water) water damage requires immediate professional intervention to prevent additional problems. Sewage backups, flooding, and standing water with bacterial growth can all cause serious illnesses and health complications. This is a type of water damage that must be handled by a professional. Biohazard cleanup poses health risks to untrained individuals who do not have experience disposing of hazardous materials. A professional remediation company can quickly address your water damage and provide a solution.
Properly documenting your damage will help you when it’s time to submit an insurance claim. Insurance companies require policyholders to submit clear, accurate evidence of these damages to receive compensation. Take multiple photos and videos of your damage from all angles. Walk through your property with a professional water damage specialist to ensure no hidden damages are overlooked.
ServiceMaster by Singer | Water Damage Remediation in Baltimore, MD
Early water damage detection is critical for Baltimore property owners. The city’s unique environmental factors create unique circumstances that are conducive to mold growth. Detecting water damage as soon as it happens can lower repair costs and prevent prolonged closures of a business. ServiceMaster by Singer can help property owners solve their water damage problems in a timely manner. Our 24/7 emergency water damage repair services support customers when emergency situations cannot wait for a scheduled appointment. We have technicians on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide prompt assistance.
