Common Signs of Water Damage
The first step to fixing water damage is being able to determine if there is water damage to the property. However, it is also important to be able to distinguish the presence of water damage by looking at the common signs of water damage.
There are common signs to look out for if one wishes to determine the presence of water damage. When a property owner can find the signs for water damage immediately, the damage would not be as severe. If one is uncertain about the signs to spot, one can refer to the article below to determine the common signs of water damage.
Five Common Signs of Water Damage
A. Rancid Smell
When it comes to water damage, an easy determining factor is the presence of rancid smell. There will be a rancid smell present if there is water damage to the property since the water is not running. It is easy to distinguish a property with water damage. This is due to the fact that the excess moisture and humidity can result in a nasty smell. This smell is slightly reminiscent of the smell of rotten eggs.
As stated in resolvebylowes.com, “Odors caused by mold and mildew could implicate a water damage problem. The smell may come from basements, walls, or other areas where water has been accumulating for a while. Certain drywall materials can act like a sponge and become full of moisture because there is low air circulation. This is the perfect condition for mold to develop, which will eventually result in visual discoloration (usually black spots) and a detectable odor.” https://www.resolvebylowes.com/guidance/flood/how-to-detect-water-damage/115000633508
The presence of water damage smell can also leave a nasty image for one’s home. Who would want to visit a home that smells of rotten eggs, right? Moreover, this type of smell is not easy to remove even when the home is sprayed with air freshener. On top of that, the water damage smell will keep on coming back when the damage has not been treated.
B. Visible Stain
When there is water damage on a property, one can be able to spot stains around the walls and ceiling. The reason for these stains may be hard to pinpoint. However, this can be due to water damage to the property.
Water stain is easy to spot since there will be a yellow stain, especially on wooden surfaces. When it comes to hidden water damage, the visible signs are easy to distinguish. However, the signs may manifest a little later, which can result in severe water damage since the signs will not be treated immediately.
The presence of stain does not only destroy the aesthetics of the home. On top of that, it also destroys the structure and stability of the foundation of a home. When there is a wall stain in a property, this is also a sign that the foundation of the property has become structurally weak.
C. Sagging Walls
Speaking of a weak structure, the presence of water damage can cause sagging walls. Since water can effectively weaken the walls, it can cause the wooden walls to become bloated. This is due to the fact that the walls will absorb excess moisture that can result in the swelling of the walls.
Moreover, one can also try feeling the wall as it can feel moist or damp. This is one sure-fire sign that there is water damage around the property. When sagging walls are present, it can be dangerous for the people living in the property as this can cause a sudden collapse when the walls are left untreated for a long period.
Another effect of water damage is that the paint on the walls may peel off. This is because most paint cannot stand up to being exposed to moisture for a long period. When the paint begins peeling suddenly, one should inspect if there is any moisture found around the property.
D. Sudden Increase in Utility Bill
One sign that there is leaking water around the house is a sudden increase in the water bill. This is due to the fact that the water is running for an entire day. The continuous flow of water will still have an effect on the water bill, which can also affect the homeowner financially. When your water bill has a sudden surge without an identifiable cause, it is important to pinpoint the exact cause since it may be due to the presence of water damage.
E. Mold Growth
a. Health Indicators
One indicator of water damage can be reflected through the health of the residents and tenants of the building. When a mold is present in a property, the people who frequent the area are more susceptible to contracting respiratory diseases. If a lot of people residing in the home is coughing or suffering from non-food related allergies, there might be several molds growing around the area.
“The mold growth in your home can happen after a few weeks. However, the adverse effects on your health and wellness may be felt within days. The molds can become evident when you feel that your allergies are starting to flare up. Molds thrive on water. This is why it is easy for them to grow when the water damage has been left untreated for a long period of time.
In addition to this, the growth of molds can also damage the aesthetic of your home. This is because it can leave marks of mold growth in the form of fungi and the green grass-like molds that grow on the surface of your wall. In terms of health issues, you can feel it when you begin to have respiratory problems like allergies, asthma, and bronchitis. It can take months or weeks after the mold growth before the health issues can take effect.”
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b. Visual Indicators
The presence of molds can also be spotted immediately visually. This can cause damage to the aesthetics of the home, which cannot be treated easily with any home remedies. It is important to be able to distinguish the appearance of molds versus other forms of stain.
The color of molds can be different depending on the type of spore present. Molds can come in a variety of dark colors that can be varied. On top of that, molds may also have hair-like specimen growing on it to differentiate them from other types of stain or discoloration.
When there is water stain in the area, it highly likely that mold is also growing around the area. Another visual sign of the presence of mold growth in the presence of damage on the property. There might be peeling off the ceiling, floor, or wall that is usually accompanied by the presence of mold growth.
Common Places to Find Water Damage
When it comes to spotting signs of water damage, it can be quite tricky to begin when you do not know where to look. There are common places around the house that are more prone to water damage than others. If you are suspicious about the presence of water damage around the house, these are the top three places that one should begin looking.
A. Bathroom
The first place to begin the quest is quite obvious. When looking for water damage, it is important to begin the quest here. However, it can be quite tricky to determine water damage in the bathroom since one can mistake it from just excess water from taking a shower.
In order to check if there is water damage, it is important to remember the common signs of water damage. When there is water damage, there would be visible signs of mold growth and staining. There could also be the presence of a rancid smell that never goes away.
Since the bathroom is susceptible to excess moisture, it may be difficult to determine if the signs of water damage are not associated with this. It is important to dry the floors after taking a shower in order to determine if the water damage is real or the flooding is caused by excess water from the shower. Moreover, it is important to check if there are leaky plumbing in the bathroom since this will cause severe water damage when left untreated.
However, if the signs do not go away even after regularly checking the bathroom for common causes, it is highly likely that there is hidden water damage around the bathroom that should be treated. This is why it is important that the homeowner should be able to distinguish the source of water damage.
B. Kitchen
Due to the presence of several pipes and plumbing on the kitchen, it is highly likely that water damage will be present around the area. Moreover, it may be hard to spot them since they are located in areas that are not always visible. Therefore, it is not always checked. However, it is important to conduct a routine inspection of the plumbing system in the kitchen.
Moreover, the kitchen can also be home to different types of smell, which is why it is difficult to point out the rancid smell that is commonly present when there is water damage. Most kitchens would have the kitchen pipes hidden beneath a cabinet that can be opened easily, which is why it is easier to spot the damage.
One common source of water damage in the kitchen is the dishwasher. It is important to determine if there is a leak on the bottom of the dishwasher. This is why it is vital to check the floor for any signs of flooding on the property.
Another unlikely source of water damage in the kitchen is the other appliances used. Due to the humidity inside the kitchen, other people use a dehumidifier in the kitchen. This can lead to water damage when the left unattended, especially if the required water level is not met.
Similar to most areas around the house, the condition of the floor and wall can be an indicator of water damage. This is why it is important to conduct a constant inspection of the kitchen. This is to determine if any signs point out to water damage. The sooner that the damage is treated, the less costly it will be for the homeowner to fix the issue.
C. Laundry Room
The laundry room is home to both the washing machine and the dryer. These two appliances are the most common appliances that cause water damage. This is why it is important to check for leaks that occur from these appliances.
On top of that, faulty appliances can also cause water damage. This is why it is important to be aware of the condition of the washing machine. It is very vital that they are in a good running condition. If this is the case, the homeowner is able to prevent any water damage arising from leaks.
The overflow of washing machines can cause water damage, but it is also difficult to clean up. This is why it is important to always run an inspection around every area of the home to ensure that all space is covered. Moreover, this can prevent the water damage cost from piling up.
Conclusion
In retrospect, the first way to treat water damage is being able to spot the common signs of water damage. It is important to be able to spot the signs of water damage. This is to ensure that the water damage can be treated immediately. Moreover, there are places around the house that are more prone to water damage than others.
When you have spotted any of the common signs of water damage on a property, it is important to seek help immediately in order to avoid further damage. Water Damage Miami provides 24/7 emergency services to anyone that is in need of water damage remediation services. You can give them a call at (786) 540-4735 or send them a message via the official website of Water Damage Miami.