Common Signs Of Water Damage

Your home has been flooded in some way, whether that’s through a household appliance or a natural occurrence: now what? No matter how long water has been in your home, it’s important to check for water damage quickly, as it can occur within 24 hours. Having this sort of damage within the home is a huge hazard and can lead to an assortment of issues such as structural damage that worsens over time if not handled properly. Not only is structural damage a huge concern, but untreated water damage can lead to mold growth. Having mold present can cause health problems, so it’s critical to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Unfortunately, not all damage can be seen right off the bat and can be present deep in the walls of your house.

Water Damage Cleanup In Greensboro

It can be difficult to spot the signs of water damage since some cases are subtle or hidden. However, with that being said, we at Restoration 1 of Winston/Salem recommend a few things you can do to keep an eye out for when it comes to water damage. You may be able to discover different signs if you use all your senses. 

1. Change In Textures

If you begin to see your walls or ceilings have bubbles, cracks, or flakes in the drywall or paint, that is usually a clear indicator that there is water damage hidden. Bubbling occurs when the water collects behind the paint and stretches the paint. Another reason for the change in texture could be that the drywall has been exposed to excess moisture, causing the paint to lift off of the surface. 

2. Discoloration 

In addition to strange textures in the walls/ceilings, watch out for any changes in color on the ceiling and interior and exterior walls. These discolorations can be watermarks, a tell-tale sign of water damage. It’s important NOT to paint over these stains, as it will not fix the true issue and can cause a bigger problem when it resurfaces even bigger than before. 

3. Musty Smell

A damp or musty smell indicates that there is sitting water somewhere in your home. It can be found in different parts of the home such as wood or drywall. This distinct smell usually goes hand in hand with mold and water damage. When you first discover the smell, try to track it down to its source to find out the root issue. 

4. Puddles

Discovering random puddles is never a pleasant find, considering leaks are commonly the cause. If you find one and it comes back, you can know for sure that there is a leak coming from somewhere in your home. 

5. Changes In Sounds

If you aren’t able to see or smell any water damage, perhaps you can hear it. A dripping sound or running water can indicate that water is somewhere it shouldn’t be. Though your house can have these sounds regularly, it’s important to weed out any irregularity and find the cause. These changes in sounds can indicate leaky pipes, which need to be remedied as soon as possible to avoid any further damage

If any of these occurrences are happening in your home or something is out of the ordinary, it’s best to get it sorted out as soon as possible. Water damage happens quickly and can be dangerous, so it’s important that it is done right. Whether they are simple fixes that can be done on your own, or professionals need to be called, it’s important to go through the proper steps of making sure that everything is done correctly, timely, and thoroughly. By doing this, this water damage will be a one-time occurrence, and you won’t need to deal with the effects of the damage again in the future.