Figuring Out the Age of a Water Spot – Water Damage Restoration

Repairs for water damage is a typical problem for any home, and every now and then the problem is apparent and other times it isn’t. Things like overflowing toilets, sinks and bathtubs are typical issues connected to water damage and you know there is an issue when this happens. However, plumbing lines run all over your house, and this involves places you can’t see like inside the walls and between the floors. It’s safe to say that a leaky pipe in an unknown location can occur. It’s an aggravating obstacle since you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t know before the water damage appears.

It’s difficult to verify how old or new the the damage produced by water is for these areas that can’t be seen. After all, you could have a pipe that’s been slightly leaking for awhile but because it’s not in plain sight, you don’t have a timeline. There’s no sure way to indicate the precise time of the problem, but there are some approaches to approximate the age of the water damage.

Find Out How Old or New the Damage Caused by Water is with This Guidance

You can learn whether the damage produced by water is new or old by following this step-by-step process:

  • 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 location like a downpour. Damages and spots derived from water can take months to surface if the leak is small. An older house might have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it’s critical to take note of the spots you see while figuring out whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: When your home has any spots from water damage, it’s critical to take note of them when determining whether your water damage is new or old. In addition, you’ll want to be apprehensive of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a downpour. Know your home, since modest leaks can take months to appear, and if you understand 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 produced by water is new or old just by feeling it. An old spot will be squishy since the material has absorbed a lot of water. A new spot will be wet, however, the material will have a solid feel to it.
  • Look for Rings: Outlining rings around your water damage spot reveals age. Think about it as if it was a tree- the more rings it has, the longer the water damage has been lingering. Discoloration of the stain is useful since it indicates that the area leaks, dries, leaks, dries, etc. If it’s a new spot caused by water, the area will be a single stain with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials like tiles and thick paint can trap water and moisture, so if you have a spot created by water seeping through one of these, this can mean there’s been water lingering for a period of time. Being aware of the materials around your house can help you address your water damage issues more effectively.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria, or mold, development normally implies that the damage produced by water has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Decomposition: When your materials rot from damage caused by water, this is usually the outcome of regular flooding or standing water. Decay usually won’t happen from the first case of leakage.

Reach out to Paul Davis – Your Experienced Water Damage Restoration Technicians

The measure of the damage produced by water doesn’t matter, Paul Davis is here to assist. Our team of skillful water damage restoration technicians can fix the problem and have your home in a great state. Remedy the problem now before it gets worse and reach out to us at (585) 647-9933 to find a local franchise in your location.