How to Figure Out if Water Damage is New or Old

When you have clogged toilets, sinks or bathtubs that overflow, you know that you’re in need of water damage repair. Though, your residence can experience water damage in ways that aren’t as straightforward. Since you have pipes running throughout your property, you can have a pipe leaking or a buildup of condensation between your ceilings and walls. It’s a troublesome problem since this isn’t visible- you won’t recognize it until you have water damage, and then it’s hard to identify how long the issue has persisted.

Nevertheless, when you recognize water spots on your ceiling or damage to your walls, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation causing a issue. Since the space is hidden, though, it’s difficult to figure out how long the problem has been at hand. Although there isn’t a way to figure out precisely how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is old or new.

Discover How Old Your Water Damage is with This Guidance

By taking the step-by-step process listed below, you’ll be able to indicate the age of your water damage:

  • History of the House: An old residence may already have some previous damage provoked from water, so it’s essential 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 good idea too, because if you have a a slow dripping pipe, it can take months for a water spot to appear. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether the damage caused from water is old or new.
  • History of the House: Keep track of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any outside influences such as a downpour. Water spots can take months to surface if the leak is modest. If your residence is an older home, the spots caused by water damage may have been there for some time. So it’s critical to take note of the spots you notice while indicating whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: You’ll can indicate whether your water damage is old or new just by feeling it. An old spot is going to be spongy since the material has taken in a lot of water. A new spot is going to be wet, however, the material will have a solid feel to it.
  • Look for Rings: Having rings around your water damage spot reveals age. Consider it like a tree- the more rings, the longer the water damage has been around. Discoloration of the blemish is useful since it shows that the area leaks, dries, gets saturated, dries, etcetera. If it’s a new water spot, the area will be a single blemish with no rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials such as tiles and thick paint can trap water and moisture, so if you have a water spot seeping through one of these, this can indicate there’s been a buildup of water for a period of time. Knowing the materials around your home can help you address your water damage problems more effectively.
  • Mold Inspection: If bacteria has had time to colonize, this implies your water damage has lingered for about two to three days.
  • Rot: Decaying material means that your water damage is either occurring on a regular basis or that it’s extensive because there’s standing water. A first case of water damage usually won’t cause decomposition.

Get in Touch with Paul – Your Professional Water Damage Repair Specialists

If you’re having water damage complications, look to Paul Davis. It’s critical to remedy any leaks on your property prior to the damage becoming more extensive. Our water damage repair experts can locate a leak and restore your property back to normal no matter the size of the job. Call us now at (770) 389-8808 and franchise near your area is there to assist you.