When recently moving into your new home, nothing can be worse than finding that it has been impacted by water damage. Knowing how to detect the signs of water damage is so important, especially when buying a home. Unfortunately, water damage is a much bigger problem than most people realize. Aside from the apparent property damage, water damage can lead to many health issues, including allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
The most common question people ask about water damage is, “What does water damage look like?” Fortunately, the signs are easy to recognize once you know what they are. However, some signs aren’t going to be immediately visible or can be completely invisible. Spotting the problem areas early on will undoubtedly help you ward off future issues that can prove costly.
High humidity creates excess moisture and condensation and begins to cause problems when the home is regularly at a humidity level of more than 60%. If the moisture is uncharacteristically high, that is a sure sign of an undetected water leak, likely in places you wouldn’t typically see. Check for wet surfaces, such as walls, counters, ceilings, floors, or anywhere water shouldn’t normally accumulate. Oftentimes, a leak nearby is the culprit.
A dripping sound or running water can indicate that water is somewhere it shouldn’t be. Though your house can have these sounds regularly, it’s essential to weed out any irregularity and find the cause. These changes in sounds can indicate leaky pipes, which need to be remedied as soon as possible to avoid any further damage.
Another indicator that water damage has infiltrated your home is the appearance of mold. Moisture attracts mold, no matter how little there is. Finding even the smallest amount of mold will indicate that there is excessive moisture somewhere nearby, whether from a leaky faucet or too much humidity in the air.
The most obvious sign of water damage is the appearance of water stains. Water stains on walls and ceilings typically mean that water is leaking somewhere behind the walls or ceiling, which causes their physical appearance to alter. They show as patches of yellowish or brownish on the walls or ceilings, getting lighter the longer they have been there. In addition to lightening in color, they will also begin to expand in size if the issue isn’t taken care of.
If you notice that any of these signs are happening in your home, it’s imperative to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Water damage that is left untreated can take over a home with a multitude of problems, including mold growth and structure unsoundness. Moreover, the longer it is left to reside within a home, the worse the problem will get. Water damage cleanup needs to happen immediately.
However, not everyone is equipped to handle these types of situations. Because of that, there are professionals available to help you with your water damage cleanup. Contact professionals at Rapid Response Restoration to assist you in getting the job done right.