Water damage in home
When you think of the term water damage in house, the first thing that comes to mind is a wet floors, mouldy ceilings and peeling wallpaper. If your home is water damaged, then yes, such extreme cases can be the ultimate consequences. It will require extensive and costly cleaning operations. However, water damage does not start with flooding or destruction of your home.
There are often more subtle signs of water damage that worsen over time. Thanks to early detection, these problems can easily be repaired by professionals. But if left unattended, the consequences can be devastating. According to damage restoration experts, any damage, from small leaks to burst pipes, must be assessed. Neglected repairs can lead to a build-up of mould and other problems that pose a direct threat to the health of everyone in the home.
Here are the warning signs to look out for when you check your home for water damage.
Signs of water damage from outside house
Start at the top and check the roof, looking for damaged flashing and missing, cracked or twisted shingles. Then look out for puddles around your home – they’re often a good indicator that the outside of your home isn’t draining properly. It’s also important to make sure your drains are connected to the site drainage system to prevent water backing up onto your property.
Poor drainage can occur for a variety of reasons, including leaking gutters, gutters that don’t carry water far enough away from your home, and gutters and pipes clogged with debris.
If you find drainage problems, call plumbers to fix the drainage problems and water damage restoration experts to clean up and cause potential damage to your property.
Signs of water damage inside house
If you notice unusual stains on walls, ceilings, windows and door frames, don’t leave it to chance. Unusual water stains are one of the most common signs of water damage and a sign that the situation is getting worse.
A more ambiguous sign of water damage to look out for is cracks in the plasterboard. Cracks in the walls can occur for a variety of reasons. However, you should watch out for cracks that look bloated and soft to the touch which means that the wall has been exposed to water.
Water damage can extend not only to the floor, but also to the foundation or basement. Signs of water damage here may be a little less obvious and harder to detect than walls. However, the impact is just as damaging, if not worse.
You should keep an eye out for any deformities and distortions in the floor. A warped floor, especially a frequent consequence of water damage. If unusual black or white stains appear on a wooden floor, it’s the same principle as when stains appear on a wall. Don’t leave it to chance. Just in case, contact a professional to assess your floor.
If you have a carpet that is inexplicably damp or exudes a musty or damp smell, that’s another warning sign, even if it doesn’t have stains on it. It’s not just visual signs you need to be wary of – your sense of smell is just as important!
Conclusion
If you find that your home has some of the above signs of water damage, contact a water leak detection specialist as soon as possible. Know that there are 24-hour leak detection services that will dispatch a highly trained emergency response team to get to your home as soon as possible.