When you think of the term ‘water damage’, the first image that probably springs to mind is a home with sodden floors, moldy ceilings, and peeling wallpaper. If you have water damage in your home, then yes, such extreme instances can be the ultimate consequence. It will require extensive and expensive clean-up operations. However, water damage doesn’t start with your home flooding or falling to pieces.
There are often subtler signs of water damage that worsen over time. With early detection, these issues can be easily fixed by experts. But when left untended, the consequences can be devastating. According to All Dry water damage restoration experts, any damage ranging from small leaks to burst pipes should be assessed. Neglecting restoration can lead to the build-up of mold and other issues that are a direct threat to the health of everyone in the home.
Here are warning signs to look out for when you’re checking your home for water damage.
Signs of Water Damage Outside
Start from the top and check the roof, looking out for damaged flashing and missing, cracked, or curled shingles. Then, look out for pools of water around your house – they are often a good indicator that the exterior of your home isn’t draining properly. It’s also important to ensure that downspouts tie into a site draining system to prevent splashback onto your property.
Poor drainage can happen for a variety of reasons, including leaking rain gutters, gutter spouts that don’t carry the water far enough from the house, and gutters and pipes being blocked with debris.
If you do spot issues with drainage, call in plumbers to fix the drainage problems and a water damage restoration company to tidy up the mess and potential destruction to your property.
Signs of Water Damage Inside
If you see any unusual stains on your walls, ceilings, windows, and doorframes, don’t leave it to chance. Unusual water stains are one of the most common signs of water damage and a sign that it is getting worse.
A more ambiguous sign of water damage to look out for is cracks in the drywall. Cracks in walls can happen for a variety of reasons. However, you want to look out for cracks that are swollen in appearance and soft to touch – this means that the wall has been exposed to water.
Water damage can extend not only to the flooring but also to the layer beneath that floor – called the “sub-floor”. The signs of water-damage here may be slightly less obvious and harder to spot than walls. However, the impact is equally damaging if not worse.
You should look out for any warped and buckling flooring. Warped flooring especially is an extremely common consequence of water damage. If there are unusual black or white stains on wooden flooring, it is the same principle as when you see stains on the wall. Don’t leave it to chance. Call in the experts to assess your flooring just to be on the safe side.
If you have a carpet that is inexplicably damp or exudes a generally moldy or damp odor, this is another warning sign, even if there aren’t any stains. It isn’t just visual signs you need to be wary of – your sense of smell is just as important!
Take Action!
If you find that your home has some of the signs of water damage stated above, get it assessed by a water restoration company as soon as possible. Know that there are 24/7 home restoration services that will dispatch a highly-trained emergency response team to get to your home ASAP.