Water Damage Restoration - Indicate the Age of Water Spots

Water damage restoration are a typical issue for any property, and sometimes the issue is clear and other times it isn’t. Things like flooding sinks, bathtubs or toilets are common problems associated with water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. But plumbing lines run all over your home, and this involves areas you can’t see such as between the floors and inside the walls. It’s safe to say that a pipe leaking in an unknown space can occur. It’s a frustrating problem since you can’t see the leak and you won’t notice it before the water damage appears.

It’s difficult to check how old the the damage generated by water is for these spaces that aren’t visible. Though, you could have a pipe that’s been slightly leaking for a period of time but because it’s been concealed, you don’t have a timeline. There’s no sure way to determine the precise time of the problem, but there are ways to estimate the age of the water damage.

Tips On Damage Produced by Water – Establish its Time Frame

By following the steps listed below, you can determine how old or new the damage induced by water:

  • History of the House: An older residence may already have some previous damage caused from water, so it’s essential to keep a record 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, since, if you have a small leak, it can take a while for a water spot to appear. Keeping track of your water damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences such as a heavy rain storm. Water spots and damages can take a while to emerge if the leak is small. If you occupy an older house, the water damage spots may have been there for a while. So it’s essential to keep a record of the spots you notice while finding out whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: When the water spot is old, it will be mushy and soft since during the time of the water leak, your drywall or ceiling has taken in a good amount of water. You’ll feel moisture with a new spot but the area won’t be soft to the touch.
  • Look for Rings: You know how tree rings determine the age of the tree? The same idea can be used towards spots created by water. An old water spot is going to have rings around it. They can also be shaded differently since the area gets wet then dries and gets wet again then dries again, etcetera. A new spot will be dark with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Get to know the material around your property, since water and moisture can become trapped by thick paint and tiles. So if spots created by water show up through these, this means the buildup of water has been lingering for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: If mold has had time to colonize, this means the damage generated by water has been there for about two to three days.
  • Decomposition: When your materials rot from damage created by water, this is typically the consequence of repeat flooding or standing water. Decomposition typically doesn’t occur from the first case of leakage.

Water Damage Restoration Technicians – Reach Out to Paul Davis Today

If you’re having water damage issues, look to Paul Davis. It’s vital to fix any leaks in your residence prior to the damage becoming more extensive. Our water damage repair professionals can detect dripping pipes and repair your property back to normal conditions no matter how big or small the job is. Call Paul now at 989-894-4450 and a local franchise will be there to assist you.