Methods to Figure Out if Water Damage is Old or New

Restorations for water damage is a common problem for any property, and sometimes the problem is distinct and other times it's indistinct. Things like flooding bathtubs, toilets and sinks are typical problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. However, plumbing lines run all over your property, and this includes places you can't see like inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a pipe leaking in an unseen area can occur. It's an annoying problem since you can't see what's going on and you won't be aware before the water damage appears.

It's difficult to establish how old the the damage generated by water is for these spaces that can't be seen. Nevertheless, you could have a pipe that's been slightly leaking for a period of time but because it's not in plain sight, you don't have a timeline. There's no way to indicate the precise time of the problem, but there are approaches to approximate the age of the water damage.

Tips On Damage Induced by Water - Evaluate its Age

You can find out whether the damage generated by water is old or new by following these steps:

• History of the House: An older house could already have some previous water damage, so it's essential to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes over a period of time. Keeping track of the weather is a good idea as well, since, if you have a small leak, it can take months for a spot to surface. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether the damage generated from water is new or old.
• History of the House: An older house could already have some previous water damage, so it's essential to keep a record of what's there and to note if the damage changes over a period of time. Keeping track of the weather is a good idea as well, since, if you have a small leak, it can take months for a spot to surface. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether the damage generated from water is new or old.
• Touch the Spot: Go on and touch the spot- this will inform you a lot about the age of the damage generated by water. A new spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel durable, while an old spot will be mushy and squishy since your material would have absorbed a good amount of water.
• Look for Rings: You know how rings on a tree reveal how old a tree is? The same approach can be used for water spots. An old water spot is going to have rings around it. They will also be discolored since the spot gets wet then dries and gets wet again then dries again, etc. A new spot will be dark with no rings around it.
• Examine the Materials: Learn about the material around your property, since water can become trapped by tiles and thick paint. And if water spots show up through these, this means the accumulation of water has remained for awhile.
• Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria is present, the damage generated by water has lingered for approximately two to three days.
• Deterioration: Decaying material indicates that the damage generated by water is either happening on a regular basis or that it's serious because there's standing water. A first case of damage generated by water typically doesn't lead to deterioration.

Water Damage Restoration Technicians - Call Paul Davis Today

If you're having water damage problems, Paul Davis' expert team is here to assist you. It's important to take care of any dripping pipes on your property before the damage becomes serious. Our water damage repair professionals can detect dripping pipes and repair your property back to normal no matter how big or small the job is. Contact us now at (905)333-9288 and near your area will be there to assist you.