Signs of Water Damage in Your Home
Water damage is one of the biggest issues that you can face as a homeowner when it comes to maintaining the value of your property as well as ensuring that it is a safe environment for you and your family. The reality is that water damage can cause a long list of issues for your home. It is also important to understand that water damage only gets worse the longer that it goes unaddressed. With these points in mind, it is time to look at the key signs of water damage in your home.
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What Does Early Water Damage Look Like?
What does early water damage look like? This is one of the most important things that you need to understand when it comes to this topic. The most obvious and easy to spot early sign of water damage is ceiling, wall, and easily visible floor damage. This type of damage can include changes to your paint and drywall and often involves dark, wet spots. Water damage to your drywall is often evident due to the presence of flaking and cracking. It can also include bubbling paint as a result of water that is present.
Another thing to look out for is moist carpeting or large pools of water. Simply identifying the presence of a small amount of moisture can be a cause for concern as it can indicate that you could be dealing with an issue that is only going to get worse over time. It is also important to take action quickly if you hear the sound of dripping or running water. The source must be identified as quickly as possible so that it can be cut off.
The presence of a moldy/musty smell in your home is also one of the tell-tale early signs that you are dealing with water damage. A sudden and unexpected increase in your water bill can also be a cause for concern that needs to be investigated.
How to Check for Water Damage?
Checking for the signs of water damage in your home is actually a fairly simple and straightforward process. There is no need for any specialized tools. You only need your hands, eyes and the time required to do a detailed check of your property.
To start off your check, you want to walk through the entirety of your home and look for the water damage signs that were detailed above. If you notice the presence of stains, dark spots, noticeably wet areas, and spongy surfaces, there is a good chance that you are dealing with a water damage issue.
What Do You Do If Your House Has Water Damage?
If you have home insurance, your first action should be to call the company to report the water damage. You will have to wait for the company’s agent to assess the damage, but you can ensure your safety by turning off your electricity as you wait for the agent. You should also wear protective clothing like gloves and boots to prevent bacterial infections. Try to salvage whatever you can as well, after taking pictures of the damage.
Cleaning the house as soon as possible is also essential. Seek help from professionals and wait for their clearance before getting back into the house. The damaged surfaces will have to be replaced. The damp items will also have to be removed from the house during cleaning before the excess moisture is also eliminated. After drying out the house completely, you can turn the electricity back on.
Drying the house is the most important aspect of the cleanup process. If not done properly, there will be mold and mildew in the home. The entire process can be too much for a non-professional to handle. You should hire a good restoration company that will ensure that the restoration is done professionally.
Can You Live In a House With Water Damage?
Whether you can live in the house after water damage depends on the extent of the damage, if it’s minimal, you can stay there as the restoration process takes place. However, if the damage is too much, you will have to move elsewhere to avoid compromising your health. The water source also matters and can determine whether you get to remain in the house or not. For instance, you can stay if the water is from appliances like washing machines or clean pipes. However, if it’s from the sewage system, your health will be compromised. If the water has affected the rooms you commonly use, it will not be safe for you to live there. If the damage is in rooms that you rarely use, then you can remain there.
How Can You Tell If a Floor Has Water Damage?
Your home’s floors are one of the areas that are the most susceptible to water damage. If you have recently dealt with any flooding, leaks, or any other water-related incidents that involved your home’s flooring, then it is important to be vigilant about the possibility of water damage. This is particularly the case if your home has hardwood flooring as this material is highly vulnerable to water damage issues. It is also vital that you remember that the longer your flooring materials were wet, the deeper the water could have penetrated into them.
There are some specific issues that you need to look out for related to water damage to your home’s flooring. These issues include:
- Unusual Odors – This can indicate the presence of mildew and mold in your home’s flooring.
- Discoloration – Changes to the color of your home’s flooring can indicate the presence of water damage. This includes the presence of mildew and mold.
- The Presence of Warping – If you notice any abnormal cracking, bubbling, or peeling to your home’s flooring, it is a common sign of water damage.
- Crowning – This refers to a situation where your flooring loses moisture. The result can be shrinkage on the underside and rounded planks that have low points on their edges and a high point in the center.
- Buckling – This refers to a situation where water damage causes flooring to detach from the underlying subflooring.
- Cupping – Cupping refers to a situation where the planks of your flooring end up curling upward due to the absorption of water. It causes the middle of these planks to have a slight depression.
What Can Water Damage Do to a House?
Now that we have discussed the signs of water damage in your home, it is time to talk about what water damage can end up doing if it is not addressed in a timely manner. The unfortunate reality is that water damage can quickly cause a long list of undesirable consequences in your home that affect its value. It can also lead to circumstances that directly affect your health and that of your family.
Water Damage Affects Areas That Include:
- Fixtures
- Appliances
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Building Materials
- Carpeting
- Clothing
- Curtains
The Health Consequences of the Mold and Mildew that Results From Water Damage Include:
- Eye Irritation
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Headaches
- Sore Throat
- Rashes
- Sneezing
Given the serious consequences that water damage can have on your home, it is vital to act immediately once you identify the issue. Waiting on this issue will only end up causing the cleanup and restoration process to become more costly in the long run. It is important to quickly bring in the services of experienced water damage restoration professionals as soon as you confirm that you have a problem. These professionals have the required expertise and equipment that is needed to take on water damage and return your home to its previous condition.
If you are dealing with water damage at your property, it is time to take advantage of the services that we offer here at ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration Services in Lexington, Kentucky. Reach out to our water damage restoration professionals today to find out how we can assist you in returning your home to its pre-damage condition. Give us a call today or leave us a message online. We look forward to making a difference for you and your property!
What To Do If You Think You Have Water Damage In Your House
The restoration process of water damage may take longer and can cause a lot of discomfort for you. Working with a professional, such as ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration Services when starting the cleanup process is your best option. You can leave the house if the noise and the fumes become too much for you to handle. The restoration process may take different duration depending on the number of rooms with water and the amount of leaking water.
