Old-New Water Spots – Tips By Water Damage Restoration Professionals

Repairs for water damage is a typical issue for any home, and every now and then the issue is noticeable and other times it isn’t. Things like overflowing sinks, bathtubs or toilets are typical problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. However, pipes run all over your house, and this includes areas you can’t see such as between the floors and inside the walls. It’s safe to say that a leaky pipe in an unknown area can happen. It’s a frustrating obstacle since you can’t see the leak and you won’t notice it until the water damage appears.

It’s hard to verify how old the the damage generated by water is for these spaces that can’t be seen. After all, you could have a leaky pipe that was slightly dripping for awhile but because it’s not in plain sight, you don’t have a timeline. There’s no sure way to indicate exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are some ways to approximate the age of the water damage.

Figure Out How Old Or New Your Water Damage Is With This Guidance

The following step-by-step process can help you gain insight in figuring out whether your water damage is new or old:

History of the House: An older home might already have some previous damage provoked from water, so it’s essential to keep a record of what’s there and to note if the damage alters over a period of time. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, since, if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a water spot to appear. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when figuring out whether your water damage is new or old.
History of the House: An older home might already have some previous damage provoked from water, so it’s essential to keep a record of what’s there and to note if the damage alters over a period of time. Tracking the weather is a great idea too, since, if you have a modest leak, it can take months for a water spot to appear. Keeping track of your water damages can save you lots of time when figuring out whether your water damage is new or old.

Touch the Spot: If the water spot is aged, it will be spongy and squishy since during the time of the leaking water, 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: If you see a darker spot with zero rings around it, this shows that the water damage is new. Older water damage usually has rings around it, and just like a tree, the more rings shows the age. Discolored rings shows you that the spot has been saturated, dried, saturated, dried, etc.

Examine the Materials: It’s important 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 case, even a water spot that’s small can indicate the buildup of water has been around for a period of time.

Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria, or mold, is present, your water damage has lingered for approximately two to three days.

Deterioration: Your material won’t rot by the first instance of water damage. So if there has been decomposition, this means your material has been vulnerable to persistent standing water or flooding.

Dispose Of Water Damage & Call Paul Davis

For all your water damage restoration emergencies, contact Paul Davis. When there’s a leak that you can’t detect, it’s essential to contact an expert. Paul Davis’ expert team has the experience and response time required to get your house back in order. To find a local franchise in your location, call us at (208) 888-0850 and we’ll get an expert to come help you.