Expert Water Damage Restoration Advice – How Old is Your Water Damage?

When you have backed-up bathtubs, toilets or sinks that flood, it’s obvious that you’re in need of water damage restoration. Though, your property can experience water damage in ways that aren’t as apparent. Since you have pipes running through your residence, you can have a leaky pipe or a buildup of condensation between your walls or ceilings. It’s a troublesome incident because this isn’t visible- you won’t know until you there’s water damage, and then it’s difficult to diagnose how long the issue has lingered.

For these spaces that can’t be seen, it’s difficult to figure out how old the damage produced by water is. After all, you could have a leaky pipe that was slightly dripping for awhile but because it’s not in plain sight, you don’t have a timeline. There’s no sure way to figure out exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are ways to approximate the age of the water damage.

Discover the Time Frame of the Damage Caused by Water

You can make a judgement on whether your water damage is old or new by using these tips:

  • History of the House: An older property could already have some previous water damage, so it’s fundamental to keep track of what’s there and to note if the damage alters over a period of time. Keeping track of the weather is a great idea too, since, if you have a a slow leak, it can take months for a spot to surface. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: If your residence has any spots from water damage, it’s important to take note of them when figuring out whether damage provoked from water is new or old. In addition, you’ll want to be observant of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your home, since pipes with a slow drip can take some time to surface, and if you understand what’s old and what’s new, you’ll be able to pinpoint your problem quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: You’ll be able to determine whether your water damage is old or new just by feeling it. An older spot will be mushy because the material has taken in a good amount of moisture. A newer spot will be moist, however, the material will still feel solid.
  • Look for Rings: Having rings around the damaged spot generated by water reveals age. Think about it like a tree- the more rings it has, the older the damage produced by water is. Different shadings of the spot is useful since it indicates that the area leaks, dries, gets saturated, dries, etc. If it’s a brand new water spot, the area will be a single mark with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s critical to be aware of the materials that make up your walls or ceilings, since things like thick paint or tiles can trap the water. If this is the circumstance, even a water spot that’s small can indicate the accumulation of water has been around for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria, or mold, growth usually means that your water damage has been there for about two to three days.
  • Deterioration: Decaying material indicates that your water damage is either occurring consistently or that it’s serious because there’s standing water. A first case of damage produced by water typically doesn’t cause deterioration.

Water Damage Repair Contractors – Get in Touch with Paul

If you’re having water damage problems, look no further than Paul Davis. It’s essential to take care of any leaks on your property prior to the damage becoming more serious. Our water damage restoration professionals can find dripping pipes and restore your home back to normal no matter the size of the job. Contact us today at (803) 796-4343 and in your location is there to assist you.