How to Identify the Most Common Signs of Water Damage at your house

How to Identify the Most Common Signs of Water Damage at your house

Water can cause extensive damage to your home, especially if it’s left unresolved for an extended period of time. While you may think you’ll immediately notice water damage or mold growth, the truth is most of us miss the early warning signs of water damage. Even after seeing signs you could have water damage, many people still wait to repair the damage.

Preventing water damage starts with knowing what to look for. You should check for water damage in your home every couple of months. If you see any of these things, get them fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

Changes to Flooring, Walls, or Ceilings

A change in your flooring, walls, or ceilings is one of the signs you could have water damage. While water damage in walls and ceilings can sometimes be obvious, it’s very easy to overlook other signs. Early warning signs of water damage are peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper. Over time, they will become bloated or warp. In severe cases, walls and ceilings may feel spongy to the touch. Wet flooring can go unnoticed too, especially if it’s only wet in the corners or in rooms that are used infrequently. By the time you notice a wet patch of carpeting or peeling tile, there could already be water damage to the subflooring. Ceramic tile is likely to show signs of mold and the grout may crack. Vinyl and linoleum tile will begin to peel and crack when wet. Wood and laminate floors will begin to warp, cup, or buckle.

Visible Stains or Mold

Stains and mold are another potential sign of water damage. Stains often develop if there is a slow, consistent leak, while mold will appear if areas are consistently damp. Most water stains are a yellowish-brown color and typically expand in irregular shapes from the source of the water leak. These types of stains are frequently found in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms as these areas generally see a lot of water usage or contain a lot of pipes.

Outdated Pipes and Plumbing Fixtures

Most pipes aren’t visible, so often take them for granted. Most pipes will last the lifetime of the home, but connections, faucets, and valves are likely to wear out over time. Inspect all visible pipes, faucets, and valves to ensure they are not leaking. Since many of your pipes run through your walls, you may be able to identify a potential water issue by listening to them.

Musty Odors

Musty odors are another one of the common signs you could have water damage. The smell is often similar to wet newspaper or cardboard and is usually the strongest around the area where the water damage occurred. Musty smells that develop shortly after heavy rainfall or a winter thaw are signs there could be issues with your foundation. If you have plumbing issues or notice other signs of water damage, keep track of changing smells.

Check Water Pipes:

Take into consideration life events that may lead to an increase in water use. Minor fluctuations are common, but a sudden spike in usage that you can’t explain could mean there is an issue.

Check to see if your toilets are running frequently, make sure all faucets are off and not leaking, and look for leaks around appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. If you cannot identify a leak, there could be a pipe leaking somewhere in your walls. So, check for other common signs you could have water damage.

Unfortunately, many people wait until there is a serious issue before calling for help, even after identifying one or more of these signs. The majority of people are worried about the cost of repairs. So DO NOT WAIT to call a professional. Nimmadhi plumbing specialists are available to you 24/7 for emergency water damage cleanup. Call Now - +91 766 700 8999.