According to the Insurance Information Institute, about one in 50 insured homes has a property claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. Water damage can be gradual or sudden.
Examples of gradual damage that can lead to leaks are rot, corrosion, deteriorating electrical wires, and plumbing breakdowns. Gradual breakdowns are often a result of an aging home or improper maintenance. Sudden water would include something that happens quickly, such as a washing machine hose break, storm, and burst pipe. Regardless of the cause, water damage can be destructive and damaging.
What Does Water Damage Look Like?
You may wonder, what does water damage look like? It isn’t always the same, but there are a few signs that you should be aware of in your home. Be on the lookout for the following indicators:
1. Dark or Wet Spots
Since leaks can happen anywhere, water spots can be on the ceiling or walls. Discoloring can range from slight shade variations to more extensive markings. If you have a gradual leak, it will likely appear as faint spotting at first and continue to darken as water accumulates. Some leaks start outside, so don’t forget to inspect the exterior of your home.
2. Cracking, Bubbling, or Flaking
Unless your ceiling or walls haven’t been painted in a long time, your paint should not peel, bubble, or crack. If you start to notice waving or peeling in wallpaper, it is a sign of moisture.
As excess water escapes drywall, it lifts and takes the paint with it. If there is too much moisture behind the walls and ceilings, it will eventually cause paint and wallpaper to start peeling or bubbling. As a result, water damage near any drywall can spread quickly.
Note any cracking in walls and ceilings. Cracks may form as a straight line or in a spiderweb pattern.
3. Pooling Water or Puddles
Continuous leaks will form a pool of water as it drips. If you clean up a water puddle and it comes back, it’s an indication you have a leak. If you notice a leak, clean it up immediately and put a bucket or container under the spot. If additional water leaks, you will be able to locate the leak while preventing further damage.
4. Listen for the Leak
Some leaks follow the path of wall studs and may be completely silent – other leaks are easier to hear and locate.
If you hear a ‘popping’ sound in the wall of your home, the noise could indicate your pipe burst. You may not hear the bursting pipe as a homeowner, but you can hear the after-effect sounds such as cascading, gushing, or falling water.
5. Increases in Your Utility Bills
Pay attention to your monthly water bills. There is some seasonality to water bills, but if you notice a sudden increase in water expenses, a leak is a likely culprit. A toilet that isn’t correctly running can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day or more. This will all ‘trickle’ down and show in your water bill.
6. Unusual Dampness or Humidity
You may smell a leak before you see it. Dampness has a distinct smell; it’s hard to miss. If you notice a musty or moldy smell, it means you have water accumulating. If your nose detects moisture, take a look around to find the culprit.
Health Issues Related to Water Damage
A water issue doesn’t just cause damage to your home; it can also lead to several serious health risks, including mold.
There are many types of mold. The two most dangerous are pathogenic and toxigenic. The type of mold, exposure time, age, and other health conditions will impact how your body reacts to mold.
Some common reactions to mold include:
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Fatigue and weakness
- Joint pain/stiffness
- Headaches
Steps to Dealing with Water Damage
Once you have identified you have a water issue, it is vital to address it right away to prevent further damage and fix the problem.
1. Stay Safe When Looking Over Your Home
If possible, you want to minimize further damage to your home by stopping the leak. If it is safe, turn off the water source to prevent additional water from leaking.
- Turn off the power
If water is leaking and crosses with electricity, it can be hazardous. Some electricity connections may not be as obvious. For example, if you have a plumbing leak in your ceiling, the quickest route may be via a ceiling light fixture.
The moment you notice water leaking from a ceiling light fixture, you need to turn off the electricity in your home. Find the breaker box for your home and completely shut off your electricity. If turning off the power requires you to enter wet areas, leave it alone and immediately call an electrician. - Wear Protective Gear
When dealing with a leak, protect yourself by wearing rubber boots, gloves, or other gear. This protection measure will help you avoid slipping or being exposed to bacteria in water. - Protect Your Valuables
Suppose the area is safe to enter – try to reduce further damage by removing anything from the space that could be damaged. For example, remove furniture, rugs, or other household items.
2. Call Your Insurance Company
Typical water damage claims include overflow, flood, sewer backup, or storm-related damage. Insurance coverage varies. Your policy may not cover some water damage.
It’s a good idea to understand what does water damage look like to your insurance policy before a leak occurs. Read through your homeowners’ policy, which will outline your coverages. If you still have questions, reach out to your insurance agent for clarity.
After a leak, contact your insurance company right away to get your claim started. They will send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine if part or all of the damage is covered.
Document your entire process with video and photos, including before, during, and after cleanup. An inventory of your valuables will help the adjuster determine the extent of the damage.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
3. Start Cleanup and Dry Out Immediately
Once the leak is fixed, you should start the cleanup as soon as it’s safe and the damage has been documented adequately for insurance.
Remove all standing water from your home. You will then need to determine what is salvageable and what needs to be tossed. You may need to remove carpeting, padding, sub-flooring, drywall, and insulation to prevent mold and mildew.
Air circulation and movement are essential to the drying out process. You will want to use floor fans, air conditioning, a wet-dry vac, and dehumidifiers to get the air moving in the space.
ServiceMaster Restoration by RSI has the equipment and training to restore your home to a pre-water damage state professionally. They can determine what is salvageable and discard items that are damaged.
Without proper restoration, discarding damaged materials, and cleaning the space, it could lead to mold issues down the road, increasing restoration costs.
4. Checking and Preventing Mold
Mold spores can develop within 24-48 hours after a flood. The quicker and more efficiently you clean up after a leak will help reduce the likelihood of mold growth. After cleaning and drying, continue to be sensitive to musty odors in the affected area.
Only a specialist can ensure that your home inspection leads to a mold and leak free environment. You will also want to check furniture and anything you bring back into your space or anything with water damage exposure. Some things will be salvageable, but others will need to be thrown away.
As soon as you discover water damage in your home, it’s essential to take what measures you can to prevent mold. Be careful that you’re not spreading mold spores throughout your home as you’re attempting to dry things out.
5. Begin Damage Restoration
If the water damage you had requires restoration, now is the time to have your home put back together. Once the leak is fixed and checked for mold, it’s time to recarpet, repaint, or replace anything that was damaged from the water.
If you had to move out of your home during the flooding and restoration, it’s time to move back in and get settled.
What does water damage look like? It often looks like your life got turned upside down, but the team at ServiceMaster Restoration by RSI is here to help. We are prepared to handle calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call us now (405) 251-7286 to help you restore your peace of mind.
