Professional Water Damage Restoration Tips – How Old Are Your Water Spots?

When you have backed-up sinks, bathtubs or toilets that flood, you know that water damage restorations will be necessary. Unfortunately, your home can suffer from water damage in ways that aren’t as apparent. Since you have pipes running throughout your house, you can have a leaky pipe or an accumulation of condensation between your walls or ceilings. It’s a difficult problem because this isn’t in sight- you won’t know until you have water damage, and then it’s difficult to define how long the issue has lingered.

Since the pipes can’t be seen, you can get an approximation of how long you’ve had water problems by examining the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to figure out a precise timeline, but we have some guidance on how to evaluate the damage so you can come up with an approximate time on how long you’ve had water in the area.

Discover the Age of the Damage Produced by Water

You can learn whether the damage caused by water is new or old by following this step-by-step process:

  • History of the House: When your house has any water spots, it’s critical to keep track of them when figuring out whether your water damage is new or old. Furthermore, you’ll want to be aware of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a rain storm. Know your home, since pipes with a slow drip can take some time to surface, and if you know what’s old and what’s new, you’ll be able to identify your issue faster.
  • History of the House: When your house has any water spots, it’s critical to keep track of them when figuring out whether your water damage is new or old. Furthermore, you’ll want to be aware of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a rain storm. Know your home, since pipes with a slow drip can take some time to surface, and if you know what’s old and what’s new, you’ll be able to identify your issue faster.
  • Touch the Spot: When the water spot is old, it will be spongy and soft since during the period of the leaking water, your drywall or ceiling has taken in a good amount of water. You’ll feel moisture with a new spot but the surface won’t be soft to the touch.
  • Look for Rings: When you see a dark spot with zero rings around it, this indicates that the water damage is new. Old water damage usually has rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Different shades and colors of rings exhibits that the spot has been saturated, dried, saturated, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s important to know about the materials that make up your ceiling or walls, since things such as thick paint or tiles can trap the water. When this is the circumstance, even a water spot that’s small can indicate the buildup of water has been remaining for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: When bacteria has had time to inhabit the space, this means that the damage caused by water has been present for nearly two to three days.
  • Rot: Rotting material means that the damage caused by water is either occurring on a regular basis or that it’s extensive because there’s standing water. A first case of water damage usually doesn’t cause decomposition.

Get Help from a Professional Water Damage Restoration Contractor

For all your water damage restoration needs, get in touch with Paul Davis. When there’s a pipe dripping that you can’t find, it’s vital to contact an expert. Paul Davis’ skillful team has the know-how and response time required to maintain your house. For a local franchise in your area, contact us at 989-894-4450 and we’ll get a professional to come help you.