Ways to Tell if Water Damage is New or Old

Repairs for water damage is a common problem for any house, and sometimes the problem is apparent and other times it's concealed. Things like flooding sinks, bathtubs or toilets are common problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But pipes run all over your property, and this involves places you can't see like inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in an unseen space can occur. It's an aggravating obstacle because you can't see the leak and you won't be aware before the water damage appears.

But, when you recognize damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are flags indicating a pipe that's leaking or condensation generating the issue. Because the space is hidden, though, it's difficult to ascertain how long the problem has been at hand. Although there isn't a way to find out precisely how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is old or new.

Tips On Damage Caused by Water - Learn about its Time Frame

You can find out an approximate time frame of the damage caused from water by taking these steps:

• History of the House: An older house might already have some previous water damage, so it's critical to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes over a period of time. Keeping track of the weather is a great idea too, since, if you have a a slow leak, it can take awhile for a spot to appear. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when diagnosing whether the damage caused from water is old or new.
• History of the House: When your home has any spots caused from water damage, it's important to take note of them when determining whether damage caused from water is old or new. Furthermore, you'll want to be aware of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a rain storm. Know your house, because pipes with a slow drip can take months to appear, and if you know what's new and what's old, you'll be able to pinpoint your problem quicker.
• Touch the Spot: You'll be able to determine whether the damage caused by water is old or new just by touching it. An old spot will be mushy because the material has absorbed a good amount of moisture. A new spot will be wet, however, the material will still have a solid feel to it.
• Look for Rings: When you see just a dark spot with no rings around it, this shows that the water damage is new. Old water damage will have rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Discolored rings reveals that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
• Examine the Materials: It's important to be aware of the materials that comprise your ceiling or walls, because things like thick paint or tiles can trap moisture. When this is the circumstance, even a water spot that's small can indicate the buildup of water has been remaining for a while.
• Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is there, the damage caused by water has been there for nearly two to three days.
• Rot: Deteriorated material indicates that the damage caused by water is either occurring consistently or that it's extensive because there's standing water. A first instance of water damage usually doesn't lead to rot.

Contact Paul Davis - Your Expert Water Damage Repair Contractors

The intensity of the damage caused by water doesn't matter, Paul Davis is here to help. Our team of expert water damage repair contractors can fix the problem and have your home in a great state. Fix the issue today before it gets in a worse condition and get in touch with us at (514)644-9955 for a local franchise near your location.