WATER-DAMAGE

SIGNS OF WATER DAMAGE IN YOUR HOME

Water damage impacts the building materials of your house if you do not address the problem early enough. An emergency water issue such as floods leads to immediate and substantial damage to your property, while minor water intrusions like leaking pipes slowly impact the structural integrity of your property.

Even after a flood and water restoration process following water damage, you should keep an eye on your property to recognize any signs of water damage before it deteriorates. Here are the signs to look out for.

Signs of mold growth

Mold naturally results from moisture and damp conditions, and it is a sure sign of potential damage to your property. A damp, musty, or moldy smell in your house is a sign of water damage. Molds also appear on walls and ceilings in the form of dark, brown, or green stains. If you see such signs, call a professional to remedy it.

Increased heating costs

An abnormal increase in your heating costs could be a sign of water damage in your home. Normally, a cold home results from deteriorated insulation or air sealing. The presence of water and moisture in your home draws heat out of the walls to evaporate the moisture. As a result, less heat moves into your living space resulting in a colder house.

Discolored walls and ceilings

You should regularly check your home for any water running down the walls or water droplets on the ceiling. Early warning signs of water damage on your property include discolored walls, swollen paint, and peeling paint or wallpaper. Following severe water damage, the dry walls absorb the excess moisture in the house, which causes the paint to bubble up and swell. Therefore, you should monitor your walls to identify any signs of water damage early.

Rotting wooden items

Wood is a material that accumulates water fast if there is excessive water intrusion into your home. Keep an eye on baseboards and other wood furnishings in your property that start to rot following water damage. If you did not dry your home properly, wooden fixtures might begin to rot, so ensure they are in good condition.

Damp walls

Another sign of water damage in your property is damp walls. You can determine by placing your hand on the walls and feel if they are damp. When there is excess moisture in your house, the walls absorb it, which causes them to be damp. The earlier you identify a sign of damp walls, the better to prevent the problem from worsening.

Loose caulk around plumbing areas

Keep an eye for caulk and sealed joints in pipes, sinks, and other plumbing system areas. Loose caulk can result from water seeping into those areas.

Rusty metals around the house

Rust results from a mixture of water and oxygen. If you notice rusty metals in your house, it signifies excessive moisture resulting from water damage. 

A nasty humid smell

It is easy to identify the smell of excess humidity or mold presence. If you notice any disgusting odor or a humid smell, check your property for water damage.

The bottom line

Water damage results from excessive water intruding into your home from flooding, leaking water pipes, flooded basement, plumbing problems, etc. It is best to call water damage restoration professionals if you notice any signs of water damage in your home.

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