Water damage can be stealthy. The slow degradation of structural materials is likely when water damage persists over long periods of time. A property owner who notices any of the following eight signs of water damage is advised to react quickly to repair the destruction.
Water damage occurs when moisture intrudes and destroys the interior parts of the home. The causes of water damage are many and include both external and internal sources. Homeowners can breathe somewhat easy knowing that most water damage crises are preventable.
When water intrudes into the home and causes ruin, any number of causes may be the culprit. A leaky roof can cause water stains on the ceiling. A burst pipe is another common cause of severe water damage. Accumulated condensation is a cause for worry, as water damage often results.
Moisture that is left unaddressed will lead to substantial water damage. It is not uncommon for homeowners to fail to see evidence of water damage right away. This is because it takes weeks or months for some types of water damage to become noticeable.
A homeowner who sees even the smallest sign of water damage should react quickly. When water damage restoration is delayed, the minor case of water damage will balloon into an unmanageable catastrophe. Here are warning signs that water damage is present:
1. Water Stains on Ceiling
Light or dark brown stains on the ceiling indicate water damage—not aging paint. Ceilings painted with dark colors will also reveal water damage; in such cases, areas of the ceiling will be noticeably discolored, turning orange, green, yellow, or brown.
The water damage on the ceiling may be caused by a leak from an appliance located right above the stain. Alternately, the roof may have sprung a leak. Faulty plumbing could allow water to saturate the ceiling, leaving behind mineral deposits and unsightly stains.
2. Buckled Wooden Floors
Excess moisture is hardwood flooring’s number one enemy and leads to buckled floors. Buckled floorboards may be defined as cracks between the boards, cupped edges, crowning (when floorboards rise up in the center), and lifting (when the wooden floors pull up from the subfloor).
Buckled floors can occur when moisture has a chance to build up, either overtime or suddenly. Small spills that are left uncleaned can lead to floorboards expanding, contracting, or lifting. Fluctuations in indoor humidity levels can also lead to moisture buildup and subsequent buckling.
3. Soft or Bubbling Drywall
Gypsum drywall is porous and will absorb moisture. Wet drywall will turn soft and mushy, which is a structural stability issue—walls are built to be sturdy. Walls that feel soft or become depressed upon touch are clear warning signs that recent water damage has occurred.
Water pooling behind the paint will cause bubbling. The moisture collects behind the paint and stretches it. While bubbling drywall is a telltale sign of water damage, the extent of water damage behind the wall may not be immediately assessable.
4. Mold Odors
Mold spores flourish in moisture-rich spaces. Detecting mold growth by smell will simultaneously point to existing water damage. High humidity levels in the home, condensation, and leaky pipes nourish mold colonies. Remediating the mold will only be successful when the water source is repaired.
5. Moldy Baseboards
A mold infestation can easily be expected in high-humidity areas, like the bathroom. However, when mold manifests along the baseboards of a well-ventilated bedroom, for instance, it is a cause for concern. Homeowners might peel back the baseboards to determine the extent of water damage.
6. Water Puddles
Puddles have no place inside a home. When puddles appear, such as in the crawl space, there is a good chance the home has sustained water damage. Standing water may also accumulate beneath leaky pipes. Repairing the damaged pipes is critical to avoid escalating water damage.
7. Spikes in Water Bills
When the amount of the monthly water bill suddenly spikes without explanation, a leak may be present in the home. Visible leaks may originate from the toilet, hot water heater, or main water supply. A concealed leak can be located and fixed by an experienced water damage professional.
8. Sounds of Water
The trickle of water can be a soothing sound; but when it occurs unintentionally, the home is likely to be affected by water damage. A property owner may not see the water damage. However, the water damage may be heard, either through the sound of dripping or rushing water.
Any of the abovementioned signs of water damage warrant immediate attention from a water damage expert. While fixing water damage can be costly, delaying repairs will be even costlier down the road. Mold colonies will latch onto the damp spaces, necessitating mold remediation services.
Local Water Damage Restoration Company
Many instances of water damage may be hidden, such as behind walls or in inaccessible places. Property owners who are aware of water damage via its telltale signs are urged to consult a reputable water damage restoration company, like ServiceMaster EMT, for immediate repair.
Our experienced technicians arrive at your home or business to assess the extent of water damage. Upon preparing a restoration plan, we promptly begin work. Water damage restoration includes the extraction of excess water using high-tech equipment and advanced techniques.
Once the excess moisture is removed, our water damage cleanup specialists thoroughly dry the property. Our air blowers and dehumidification equipment are powerful enough to fully dry properties of any size. We are equipped to restore both residential homes and large commercial spaces.
ServiceMaster EMT techs stand by 24 hours a day to respond to emergency water damage crises. It is unadvisable to postpone water damage repair, as the destruction will spread.
Contact Us
Home and business owners in Southern California and Nevada are urged to call us at (562) 306-0577 for quick, reliable water mitigation.
