Signs of Water Damage in Your Home

Detecting water damage can be tricky many times as the water can come from a leak in the roof, in a pipe or even the water table can be influenced by capillary action.

If it’s not properly repaired, it can cause mold growth and severe structural damage to your property over time.

Although water damage isn’t always immediately noticeable, you can look out for certain signs in order to identify the problem and get it fixed as soon as possible:

Indoor signs

Musty odor and dampness

Dampness in your house is a clear indicator of water damage.

Water may seep into the walls or ceilings, and the combination of darkness, lack of air ventilation, and moisture cause a distinct musty smell. This musty odor is a key sign of water damage, as it indicates there is mold growth or a leak somewhere.

Stains and discoloration

Discoloration and stains are also common signs of water damage, as they could be indicators of a leak.

They usually appear on the ceiling and walls close to the plumbing, and they are generally brown in color.

Mold Growth

Mold is the strongest sign of water damage, since it only grows where there’s moisture.

It can grow within 24-48 hours, so it should be addressed as soon as possible.

You can commonly notice mold as black, blue, or green patches on the kitchen, bathroom, and basement walls and ceilings. Its odor is similar to the smell of newspapers or old cardboard.

As mold is difficult to remove and can cause health issues, professional help is required to properly treat it.

Cracking, flaking, or bubbling of the paint

When you see that the paint on your walls begins to flake, crack, or bubble, it’s likely that there is hidden water damage, since water causes paint and wallpaper to lose their adhesion.

Cracking or warping of the floor

Flooring can get warped or cracked if water seeps in. Tiles may be loosened over time as well.

Pay special attention to the flooring in the corners of the room, and look out for any wet patches.

An unexpected increase in your bills

Hidden leaks can waste water and make your water bill increase suddenly.

Outdoor signs

Damaged roof

Check if your roof has cracked or missing shingles. A leaking roof may lead to ceiling water damage, which can become an entryway for water when there’s a storm.

Damaged window and door frames

Look out for any separation in the window or door frames, since this could cause dampness in the house and, subsequently, mold growth.

Stagnant water

Poor drainage and damaged gutters may cause stagnant water outside the home.

Check that downspouts properly divert water away from the property.

Water on the sides of the house

Check that the house sits on the highest point of the property, with the ground sloping away from it, because if water accumulates on the sides of the structure and seeps in, it can cause water damage to the foundation.

detecting water damage: What to do if my home has signs of water damage?

As water can cause serious structural damage to your home and lead to unsafe living conditions, it’s important to take action as soon as possible.

Water damage, as well as mold growth, can be effectively solved by professionals, who are properly trained and have the required equipment to safely treat these kinds of problems.

The Phoenix Restoration experts can help you by assessing the damage and restoring your home back to its original condition. Contact us and we’ll be glad to assist you!