Helping to Indicate the Age of Water Spots

One of the more persistent complications a home can sustain is water damage. As water damage restoration experts, Paul Davis understands the complications that water damage causes, especially when it isn’t in sight. Your house has plumbing everywhere, including the inside of your walls and ceilings. When these pipes leak or have condensation on them, they can slowly erode your ceiling or walls. One of the more frustrating aspects to this is detecting whether or not the damage caused by water is new or old.

But, when you notice water spots on your ceiling or damage to your walls, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation generating the issue. Since the space is hidden, though, it’s difficult to verify how long the problem has lasted. 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 new or old.

Determine the Lifetime of Your Water Damage

By practicing the tips listed below, you’ll be able to indicate how old or new your water damage:

  • History of the House: If your house has any water spots, it’s fundamental to take note of them when figuring out whether damage caused from water is new or old. Additionally, you’ll want to be conscious of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your home, because modest leaks can take awhile to appear, and if you understand what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to identify your problem quicker.
  • History of the House: If your house has any water spots, it’s fundamental to take note of them when figuring out whether damage caused from water is new or old. Additionally, you’ll want to be conscious of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your home, because modest leaks can take awhile to appear, and if you understand what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to identify your problem quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: Go ahead and touch the spot- this can reveal a lot about the age of the water damage. A newer spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel durable, while an older spot will be spongy and squishy since your material would have absorbed a fair amount of water.
  • Look for Rings: You know how rings on a tree determine the age of the tree? The same method can be used for spots generated by water. An older water spot will have rings around it. They can also be discolored because the area gets wet then dries and gets wet again then dries again, etcetera. A newer spot will be darker with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials like tiles and thick paint can actually trap water and moisture, so when you have a spot caused by water seeping through one of these, this can indicate there’s been a buildup of water for awhile. Being aware of the materials around your house can help you focus on your water damage issues more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: When mold has had time to inhabit the area, this indicates your water damage has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Rot: If your materials rot from damage generated by water, this is normally the outcome of consistent flooding or standing water. Rot normally doesn’t occur from the first instance of leakage.

Get an Expert Water Damage Restoration Contractor

When you’re having water damage complications, Paul Davis is here to assist you. It’s essential to fix any dripping pipes in your residence prior to the damage becoming more extensive. Our water damage restoration professionals can detect a leak and restore your home back to normal conditions no matter how big or small the job is. Call Paul today at (585) 647-9933 and franchise near your area is there to assist you.