Approaches To Determine If Water Damage Is Old Or New

Water damage restoration is a common issue for any property, and every now and then the issue is apparent and other times it‘s concealed. Things like flooding bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common problems associated with water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. But plumbing lines run all over your home, and this involves places you can’t see such as inside the walls and between the floors. It’s safe to say that a pipe leaking in a hidden area can happen. It’s an annoying obstacle since you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t know until the water damage appears.

Since the pipes are hidden, you can get an estimate of how long you’ve had water issues by evaluating the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it’s hard to find out an exact timeline, but we have some advice on how to examine the damage so you can come up with an estimated time on how long you’ve had water in the damaged space.

A Step-By-Step On Water Damage – Determine Its Age

Listed below are some tips you can take to find out the time frame of your water damage:

  • History of the House: If your house has any spots from water damage, it’s fundamental to take note of them when figuring out whether your water damage is old or new. Additionally, you’ll want to be aware of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like a rain storm. Know your property, since pipes with a slow drip can take months to surface, and if you understand what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to diagnose your issue faster.
  • History of the House: An old property may already have some previous water damage, so it’s fundamental to keep track of what’s there and to note if the damage alters overtime. Keeping track of the weather is a good idea as well, because if you have a a slow leak, it can take months for a spot to surface. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when diagnosing whether your water damage is old or new.
  • Touch the Spot: If the water spot is old, it will be soft and spongy since during the period of the water leak, your drywall or ceiling has absorbed a good amount of water. A newer spot will feel wet but it won’t be soft to the touch.
  • Look for Rings: Remember how rings on a tree show the age of the tree? The same idea can be used for spots generated by water. An older water spot is going to have rings around it. They can also be discolored since the area gets saturated then dries and gets saturated again then dries again, etcetera. A newer spot will be darker with no rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: It’s fundamental to know about the materials that comprise your walls or ceilings, since things such as thick paint or tiles can actually trap the water. If this is the circumstance, even a small water spot can indicate the buildup of water has been around for a while.
  • Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria, or mold, is there, the damage produced by water has been there for nearly two to three days.
  • Decay: Your material won’t decay by the first occurrence of damage caused by water. So if there has been decomposition, this indicates your material has been susceptible to constant flooding or standing water.

Eradicate Water Damage & Call Paul

The intensity of the damage produced by water doesn’t matter, Paul Davis is here to help. Our team of professional water damage restoration technicians can fix the issue and have your house back in good condition. Remedy the issue now before it gets in a worse condition and reach out to us at (303)322-3328 for a local franchise near you.