Determining the Age of Water Damage – Water Damage Restoration

A common complication that a lot of homes deal with is some form of water damage. As water damage restoration experts, Paul Davis understands the issues that water damage produces, especially when it isn’t in sight. Your residence has pipes running throughout it, this includes the inside of your walls and ceilings. If these pipes leak or have condensation on them, they can begin to corrode your ceiling or walls. One of the more frustrating aspects to this is finding out whether or not the water damage is new or old.

But, when you notice water spots on your ceiling or damage to your walls, these are clues indicating a leaky pipe or condensation generating the problem. Since the space is hidden, though, it’s tough to verify how long the issue has lasted. Although there isn’t a way to know precisely how long your water damage problem has persisted, there are some ways to diagnose whether the water damage is new or old.

Determine How Old the Damage Generated by Water is with This Guidance

By practicing the tips listed below, you’ll be able to indicate the age of your water damage:

  • History of the House: If your residence has any water spots, it’s critical to keep track of them when figuring out whether damage provoked from water is new or old. Furthermore, you’ll want to be observant of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as a rain storm. Know your home, 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 pinpoint your issue faster.
  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any outside influences like a heavy rain storm. Water spots can take some time to appear if it’s a slight leak. If your residence is an older house, the water damage spots could have been there for some time. So it’s critical to keep track of the spots you see while finding out whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: Go ahead and touch the spot- this will disclose a lot about the age of the water damage. A newer spot will feel wet but your drywall or ceiling will still feel the same, while an older spot will be mushy and squishy because your material would have taken in a fair amount of moisture.
  • Look for Rings: Remember how rings on a tree indicate the age of the tree? The same approach can be used towards spots produced by water. An older water spot is going to have rings around it. They will also be discolored since the spot gets saturated then dries and gets saturated again then dries again, etcetera. A newer spot will be darker with zero rings circling it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s crucial to know about the materials that comprise your walls or ceilings, since things like tiles or thick paint can trap the water. If this is the situation, even a small water spot can mean the buildup of water has been remaining for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is present, your water damage has lingered for nearly two to three days.
  • Deterioration: Decomposed material means that your water damage is either happening on a regular basis or that it’s extensive because there’s standing water. A first case of water damage usually doesn’t cause rot.

Water Damage Repair Technicians – Contact Paul Today

No matter the amount of your water damage, Paul Davis is here to help out. Our team of experienced water damage repair contractors can fix the issue and have your residence in a good state. Fix the problem today before it gets in a worse condition and reach out to us at (301) 948-8008 for a local franchise near your location.