Pro Water Damage Restoration Advice – How Old Are Your Water Spots?

Water damage restoration is a common problem for any property, and every now and then the problem is obvious and other times it‘s indistinct. Things like overflowing toilets, sinks and bathtubs are common problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But pipes run all over your property, and this involves places you can’t see like inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a pipe leaking in an unknown area can happen. It’s an aggravating problem since you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t know until the water damage appears.

However, when you recognize damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are flags indicating a pipe that’s leaking or condensation causing a issue. Since the space is hidden, though, it’s hard to determine how long the problem has lasted. Although there isn’t a way to figure out precisely how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to indicate whether the water damage is new or old.

A Guide On Water Damage – Determine its Time Frame

Below are some tips you can take to figure out the age of your water damage:

  • History of the House: If your property has any water spots, it’s critical to take note of them when finding out whether your water damage is new or old. Furthermore, you’ll want to be conscious of any weather that could bring hidden water damage to the surface like heavy rain. Know your property, since modest leaks can take awhile to surface, and if you know what’s new and what’s old, you’ll be able to diagnose your problem quicker.
  • History of the House: An older residence could already have some previous damage produced 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. Keeping track of the weather is a great idea too, because if you have a a slow leak, it can take some time for a spot to surface. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you lots of time when pinpointing whether your water damage is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: If the water spot is aged, it will be squishy and spongy since during the time of the water leak, your ceiling or drywall has absorbed a good amount of water. You’ll feel wetness with a new spot but it won’t be soft like an older spot.
  • Look for Rings: If you see a dark spot with zero rings around it, this indicates that the damage generated by water is new. Old damage generated by water usually has rings around it, and like trees, the more rings indicates the age. Different colored and shades of rings exhibits that the spot has been saturated, dried, saturated, dried, etc.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials like tiles and thick paint can trap water, so when you have a spot created by water seeping through one of these, this can indicate there’s been a buildup of water for awhile. Knowing the materials can help you address your water damage problems more effectively.
  • Mold Inspection: If you see that bacteria is there, the damage generated by water has been present for approximately two to three days.
  • Rot: If your materials deteriorate from damage generated by water, this is normally the outcome of regular flooding or standing water. Decay normally doesn’t occur from the first situation of leakage.

Get an Experienced Water Damage Restoration Contractor

For all your water damage restoration emergencies, reach out to Paul Davis. If there’s a leak that you can’t identify, it’s critical to call a professional. Paul Davis’ skillful team has the industry knowledge and response time you need to get your property back in order. For a local franchise in your location, call us at (845) 651-1850 and we’ll get a professional for your assistance.