Water Damage Indicators

5/6/2024 (Permalink)

Water damaged ceiling tile

Here are some of the most common indicators of water damage:

Water Accumulation

One of the most visible signs of water damage, water accumulation can come from malfunctioning appliances such as dishwashers, water heaters, faucets, and toilets. Pooling water is a form of water accumulation that can be easy to spot, typically a result of a leaking roof or faulty drainage pipes.

Discoloration

Water can cause great aesthetic damage to your home if left unchecked. It can stain walls and carpets, as well as rust your home’s pipes and water heater. By keeping a close watch on any leakage problems, you can prevent your nice home from becoming a brown musty mess.

Changes in Texture

When water seeps into the floorboards of tiles and areas underneath them, it can alter their texture. For example, wood and laminated floors expand when they absorb a lot of water, unsticking them from the base. Although this kind of damage is easy to spot, it may be difficult to identify the source of the damage.

Odor

One of the telltale signs of water damage is odor. If you consistently find yourself smelling mold, mildew, and other muggy scents then you probably have a water damage problem. Certain drywall materials, such as tape and frames, act like a sponge and attract and absorb moisture. These are the perfect conditions for mold to develop, which leads to those pesky odors.