Do you have water damage? In most cases, property damage from water is evident. If excess water comes from something like a burst pipe or basement flood, you’ll be able to see the water and all the damage it is causing. However, this isn’t always the case. Water can leak in hidden places like the inside of the walls which you’ll likely not notice unless and until some severe damage has been done. Preventing water damage starts with knowing what to look for. You should check for the following water damage signs in your home every couple of months. If you see any of these signs, get them fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
Bubbling or Cracking Paint
If there is a leak lurking behind a wall, you may notice some changes on the wall’s surface. Paint or wallpaper will start to blister and bubble, and even begin to peel and crack if the water damage progresses. If this happens, it usually means the wall has been exposed to excess water, which causes the building materials to shrink and expand. This shrinking and expanding causes the paint to weaken, resulting in peeling and eventual cracking.
Stained Walls or Ceilings
Discolored walls and ceilings aren’t a sign of aging paint. When you see dark brown or beige stains on your ceilings, you can bet water damage restoration will be needed. Though stains are most common on ceilings, the damage could occur behind walls or the floor if there are pipes behind them. Seeing stains is one of the best ways to spot a leaky roof.
Problems with Your Floor
If water builds up in or under your flooring, you may begin to notice the laminate or wood floor starting to warp or buckle, or your grouted tiles becoming loose and start to slightly shift in position. Don’t just shrug this off to old age, rather have your subflooring examined for leaks before the water starts to seep through your floorboards or tiles. Detecting the moisture early is the best way to save your floors from permanent damage.
Musty Odors
Musty odors are other common signs of water damage. The area may also feel damp or humid. If you notice a musty smell, inspect the area. Look for other signs of water damage, like mold or stains. Musty smells that develop shortly after heavy rainfall are signs there could be issues with your foundation. If you have plumbing issues or notice other signs of water damage, keep track of changing smells.
A Mold Infestation
One of the first signs of water damage is a mold infestation. If you can see the tell-tale sign of a patch of mold, consider yourself lucky. But sometimes mold sits in concealed places, between drywall or under the floorboards, making it difficult to uncover. More subtle mold growth, such as in the baseboards of a bedroom or on a wall, can be a sign of water damage.
Visible Water
Leaky appliances can be the culprit when you find puddles of standing water in your home. Damaged pipes sometimes lead to standing water depending on where the pipes are located. Inspect crawl spaces and other hiding spots throughout your room if you smell mold or feel additional humidity in your house. If you find any standing water or puddles in your crawl space, it’s a good chance your home has water damage.
It’s Time to Call the Experts
If you suspect water damage in your home, your best bet is to call in the professionals at Xtreme Home Improvement to provide water damage restoration services. You may have difficulty locating the source of the water damage yourself, but a professional will have no difficulty pinpointing the source of the issue. From the smallest water leak to large scale flood damage, our technicians take care of any water damage in your home quickly and efficiently. We have decades of experience mitigating and restoring residential and commercial water damage. Our teams understand how to assess and identify the cause of a leak and will immediately concentrate on minimizing further damage through cleanup, restoration and reconstruction.
The longer you wait, the greater the risk of permanent damage and mold infestation. Contact us today to learn more about our water damage restoration services.