Methods to Detect if Your Water Damage is Old or New

Water damage restoration is a common issue for any home, and every now and then the issue is clear and other times it’s ambiguous. Things like flooding toilets, sinks and bathtubs are common problems linked with water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. However, plumbing lines run all over your home, and this involves places you can’t see such as inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in a hidden space can occur. It’s a frustrating problem since you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t be aware before the water damage appears.

Yet, when you detect water spots on your ceiling or damage to your walls, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation causing a issue. Because the area is concealed, though, it’s challenging to determine how long the issue has lasted. While there isn’t a way to know precisely how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is new or old.

Figure Out the Age of the Damage Produced by Water

You can make a judgement on whether your water damage is old or new by following these steps:

  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any strong weather you had in your area such as heavy rain. Water spots can take awhile to pop up if the leak is modest. If your residence is an older home, the water damage spots could have been there for awhile. So it’s fundamental to take note of the spots you perceive while indicating whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: An old home could 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. Tracking the weather is a good idea as well, because if you have a modest leak, it can take awhile for a water spot to surface. Keeping track of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when determining whether the damage caused from water is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: When the water spot is aged, it will be spongy and squishy since during the time of the water leak, your ceiling or drywall has absorbed a good amount of water. You’ll feel wetness with a newer spot but the surface won’t be soft like an older spot.
  • Look for Rings: Remember how tree rings indicate how old a tree is? The same idea can be used towards spots created by water. An older water spot will have rings around it. They can also be discolored since the area gets saturated then dries and gets saturated again then dries again, etc. A newer spot will be darker with zero rings circling it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s vital to know about the materials that make up your walls or ceilings, since things such as tiles or thick paint can trap the water. When this is the circumstance, even a small water spot can indicate the accumulation of water has been lingering for a period of time.
  • Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria is present, your water damage has been present for about two to three days.
  • Decay: Your material doesn’t typically rot by the first occurrence of damage generated by water. So if there has been decay, this means your material has been vulnerable to constant standing water or flooding.

Get Help from an Experienced Water Damage Restoration Specialist

For all your water damage restoration needs, call Paul Davis. If there’s a leak that you can’t identify, it’s important to call an expert. The professional team at Paul Davis has the industry knowledge and response time required to maintain your house. For a local franchise in your area, contact us at (203) 315-1500 and we’ll get an expert to come help you out.