Expert Water Damage Repair Advice – How Old Are Your Water Spots?

Water damage restoration is a typical issue for any house, and sometimes the issue is distinct and other times it isn’t. Things such as overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common problems linked with water damage and you know there is an issue when this occurs. However, plumbing lines run all over your home, and this includes places you can’t see like between the floors and inside the walls. It’s safe to say that a pipe leaking in a concealed location can happen. It’s an annoying problem since you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t be aware before the water damage appears.

You can figure out how new or old your water problems are by evaluating the water damage itself since the pipes are concealed. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to figure out an exact timeline, but we have some tips on how to evaluate the damage so you can come up with an estimated time on how long you’ve had water in the damaged space.

Discover the Age of the Damage Caused by Water

You can make a judgement on whether the damage caused by water is old or new by following this step-by-step process:

  • History of the House: If your house has any spots from water damage, it’s fundamental to keep track of them when figuring out whether your water damage is new or old. Furthermore, you’ll want to be apprehensive of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface such as a rain storm. Know your house, since pipes with a slow drip can take awhile to surface, and if you know what’s old and what’s new, you’ll be able to diagnose your issue quicker.
  • History of the House: Keep track of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any outside influences like heavy rain. Water spots and damages can take awhile to present themselves if it’s a slight leak. An older house may already have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it’s fundamental to keep track of the spots you perceive while determining whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: If the water spot is old, it will be soft and spongy since during the period of the leaking water, your ceiling or drywall has taken in a good amount of water. A new spot will feel wet but the area won’t be soft like an older spot.
  • Look for Rings: If you see just one dark spot with no rings around it, this demonstrates that the water damage is new. Old water damage usually has rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings determines the age. Discolored rings reveals that the area has been drenched, dried, drenched, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Get to know the material in your house, since water can become trapped by tiles and thick paint. And if spots produced by water show up through these, this indicates the accumulation of water has remained for awhile.
  • Mold Inspection: When mold has had time to inhabit the space, this indicates that the damage caused by water has lingered for about two to three days.
  • Rot: Decomposed material means that the damage caused by water is either a repeat offender or that it’s extensive because there’s standing water. A first instance of water damage usually doesn’t cause deterioration.

Water Damage Restoration Contractors – Get in Touch with Paul Davis

For all your water damage repair needs, reach out to Paul Davis. When there’s a leak that you can’t detect, it’s fundamental to get in touch with a professional. The expert team at Paul Davis has the experience and response time you need to maintain your house. To find a local franchise in your location, give us a call at (410) 730-7260 and we’ll get a professional for your assistance.