Expert Water Damage Restoration Advice – How Old Are Your Water Spots?

When you have clogged bathtubs, toilets or sinks that flood, you know that you’re in need of water damage restoration. Still, your property can experience water damage in ways that aren’t as straightforward. Since you have pipes running all over your residence, you can have a leaky pipe or an accumulation of condensation between your ceilings and walls. It’s an alarming situation because this isn’t visible- you won’t notice it until you there’s water damage, and then it’s difficult to define how long the issue has lingered.

But, when you recognize water spots on your ceiling or damage to your walls, these are clues indicating a pipe that’s leaking or condensation generating the issue. Because the space is hidden, though, it’s challenging to verify how long the issue has lasted. Even though there isn’t a way to figure out exactly how long your water damage issue has lingered, there are some ways to diagnose whether the water damage is old or new.

Find Out How Old Your Water Damage is with This Guidance

The following steps can help you judge whether the damage produced by water is old or new:

  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any strong weather you had in your location such as a heavy rain storm. Damages and spots caused by water can take some time to emerge if it’s a slight leak. An older house may already have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it’s critical to take note of the spots you notice while finding out whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any strong weather you had in your location such as a heavy rain storm. Damages and spots caused by water can take some time to emerge if it’s a slight leak. If your residence is an older house, the spots produced by water damage may have been there for some time. So it’s critical to take note of the spots you notice while finding out whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: You’ll be able to find out whether the damage produced by water is old or new just by feeling it. An old spot will be soft because the material has absorbed a fair amount of moisture. A new spot will be wet, however, the material will feel solid.
  • Look for Rings: Outlining rings around your water damage spot reveals age. Think about it like a tree- the more rings, the longer the water damage has been present. Discoloration of the spot is useful because it shows that the area leaks, dries, leaks, dries, etcetera. If it’s a new spot caused by water, the area will be a single stain with no rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s vital to know about the materials that comprise your walls or ceilings, because things such as tiles or thick paint can trap the water. When this is the situation, even a small water spot can indicate the accumulation of water has been around for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria, or mold, development typically indicates that the damage produced by water has been present for nearly two to three days.
  • Decay: Rotting material indicates that the damage produced by water is either occurring consistently or that it’s extensive because there’s standing water. A first instance of water damage usually doesn’t cause rot.

Water Damage Repair Technicians – Call Paul Davis Today

The degree of the damage produced by water doesn’t matter, Paul Davis is here to help. Our team of skillful water damage repair contractors can resolve the issue and have your residence in a good state. Fix the issue today before it gets worse and call us at (484) 273-7867 to find a local franchise near you.