Water Damage – How Old is it? – Discover by Taking These Steps

One of the more typical issues a property can experience is water damage. As water damage repair professionals, Paul Davis understands the problems that water damage generates, especially when it isn’t in sight. Your house has plumbing running throughout it, including the inside of your ceilings and walls. When these pipes leak or have condensation on them, they can begin to corrode your walls and ceilings. One of the more frustrating parts to this is detecting whether the water damage is old or new.

Since the pipes aren’t visible, you can get an estimate of how long you’ve had water issues by analyzing the water damage itself. Unfortunately, it’s hard to figure out a precise timeline, but we have some advice on how to evaluate the damage so you can come up with an approximate time on how long you’ve had water in the area.

Find Out How Old or New the Damage Generated by Water is with These Steps

By practicing the tips listed below, you’ll be able to indicate how new or old the damage produced by water:

  • History of the House: When your house has any water spots, it’s important to take note of them when determining whether your water damage is old or new. Furthermore, you’ll want to be apprehensive of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your property, because modest leaks can take months to surface, and if you know what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to pinpoint your issue quicker.
  • History of the House: When your house has any water spots, it’s important to take note of them when determining whether your water damage is old or new. Furthermore, you’ll want to be apprehensive of any storms that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your property, because modest leaks can take months to surface, and if you know what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to pinpoint your issue quicker.
  • Touch the Spot: Go ahead and touch the spot, because this will reveal a lot about the age of the water damage. A newer spot will feel wet but your drywall or ceiling will still feel the same, while an older spot will be mushy and spongy since your material would have absorbed a good amount of moisture.
  • Look for Rings: Outlining rings around the damaged spot produced by water presents its age. Think about it like a tree- the more rings it has, the older the water damage is. Discoloration of the spot is useful because it shows that the area gets soaked, dries, leaks, dries, etc. If it’s a new water spot, the area will be a single mark with zero rings.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials such as thick paint and tiles can trap water, so when you have a spot caused by water leaking through one of these, this can mean there’s been a buildup of water for a period of time. Being aware of the materials around your home can help you focus on your water damage issues more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria growth usually implies that your water damage has been present for approximately two to three days.
  • Decay: Decaying material means that your water damage is either a repeat offender or that it’s serious because there’s standing water. A first instance of water damage typically doesn’t cause decay.

Get Help from a Knowledgeable Water Damage Restoration Specialist

When you’re having water damage issues, look to Paul Davis. It’s essential to remedy any leaks in your house before the damage becomes serious. Our water damage repair professionals can locate dripping pipes and repair your property back to normal conditions no matter the size of the job. Get in touch with us today at (206) 364-3000 and franchise near you will be there to assist you.