Methods to Detect if Your Water Damage is New or Old

Water damage repair is a common problem for any property, and every now and then the problem is apparent and other times it isn't. Things such as overflowing toilets, sinks and bathtubs are common issues linked with water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. However, plumbing lines run all over your property, and this includes places you can't see such as inside the walls and between the floors. It's safe to say that a pipe leaking in an unseen space can occur. It's an aggravating obstacle since you can't see what's going on and you won't know before the water damage appears.

Since the pipes can't be seen, you can get an approximation of how long you've had water issues by evaluating the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it's hard to find out a precise timeline, but we have some advice on how to examine the damage so you can come up with an estimated time on how long you've had water in the area.

Tips On Water Damage - Evaluate its Age

The following step-by-step process can help you gain insight in finding out whether your water damage is old or new:

• History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any outside influences such as a downpour. Damages and spots derived from water can take some time to occur if the leak is modest. An older home might already have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it's important to take note of the spots you notice while indicating whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
• History of the House: If your property has any water spots, it's important to take note of them when figuring out whether damage generated from water is old or new. Additionally, you'll want to be aware of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as heavy rain. Know your property, since pipes with a slow drip can take some time to appear, and if you know what's new and what's old, you'll be able to identify your problem quicker.
• Touch the Spot: You'll can find out whether your water damage is old or new just by feeling it. An older spot is going to be squishy because the material has absorbed a lot of water. A newer spot is going to be wet, however, the material will still have a solid feel to it.
• Look for Rings: Outlining rings around your water damage spot indicates its age. Think about it as if it was a tree- the more rings, the older the water damage is. Color variations of the spot is also helpful since it indicates that the area leaks, dries, gets saturated, dries, so on and so forth. If it's a new water spot, the area will be a single mark with zero rings.
• Examine the Materials: Materials such as thick paint and tiles can actually trap water and moisture, so if you have a spot produced by water seeping through one of these, this can mean there's been a buildup of water for a period of time. Being aware of the materials around your property can help you focus on your water damage issues more efficiently.
• Mold Inspection: Bacteria growth usually implies your water damage has been present for about two to three days.
• Rot: Decaying material means that your water damage is either happening on a regular basis or that it's serious because there's standing water. A first instance of water damage usually doesn't cause decay.

Remove Water Damage & Call Paul

No matter the intensity of your water damage, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of skillful water damage repair technicians can resolve the problem and have your property in a great state. Fix the issue today before it gets even worse and reach out to us at (705)494-1000 for a local franchise near your location.