Water Damage - How Old is it? - Find Out by Following These Tips

Water damage restoration is a typical problem for any house, and sometimes the problem is discernible and other times it's concealed. Things such as overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common issues connected to water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. But plumbing lines run all over your house, and this involves areas you can't see like inside the walls and between the floors. It's safe to say that a pipe leaking in a hidden location can happen. It's an annoying problem since you can't see the leak and you won't be aware before the water damage appears.

For these areas that aren't visible, it's complicated to verify how old or new the damage produced by water is. After all, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for awhile but because it's been hidden, you don't know how long. There's no sure way to check the precise time of the problem, but there are approaches to estimate the age of the water damage.

Tips On Water Damage - Learn about its Age

By practicing the tips listed below, you'll be able to indicate how old or new your water damage:

  • History of the House: Keep track of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences like heavy rain. Damages and spots caused by water can take awhile to surface if the leak is modest. Older properties could have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it's fundamental to keep track of the spots you perceive while determining whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: Keep track of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences like heavy rain. Damages and spots caused by water can take awhile to surface if the leak is modest. Older properties could have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it's fundamental to keep track of the spots you perceive while determining whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: If the water spot is old, it will be mushy and squishy since during the time of the leaking water, your drywall or ceiling has absorbed a good amount of water. A new spot will feel wet but the area won't be soft to the touch.
  • Look for Rings: If you see a dark spot with zero rings around it, this demonstrates that the damage produced by water is new. Old damage produced by water will have rings around it, and like trees, the more rings determines the age. Different shades and colors of rings shows you that the spot has been soaked, dried, soaked, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials like tiles and thick paint can actually trap water and moisture, so when you have a spot created by water seeping through one of these, this can indicate there's been a buildup of water for awhile. Being aware of the materials around your house can help you focus on your water damage issues more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is there, the damage produced by water has lingered for about two to three days.
  • Rot: Rotting material indicates that the damage produced by water is either a repeat offender or that it's serious because there's standing water. A first case of damage produced by water usually won't cause rot.

Water Damage Restoration Technicians - Contact Paul Today

When you're having issues with damages that are produced by water, Paul Davis' professional team is here to assist you. It's critical to fix any dripping pipes on your property prior to the damage becoming more serious. Our water damage repair professionals can locate a leak and restore your house back to normal conditions no matter the size of the job. Get in touch with us now at (306)374-7000 and franchise near your area will be there to assist you.