Signs There Is Water Damage In Your Home

water damage cleanup amesAfter experiencing some sort of flood whether it was with an appliance or heavy rain, there is bound to be water damage in your home. Depending on how much water and how long it stood in your home, there are different levels of damage that can occur. Either way, it’s important to check for the damage immediately as it happens quickly and can affect the structural integrity of the home. In addition to this, mold can happen to grow, causing health problems to you and everyone residing in the house. With all of that said, it’s critical to get it taken care of as soon as possible. 

Water Damage Cleanup In Ames

There are several different signs of water damage that you can look out for on your own. Some can be more subtle than others, so it is important to use all your senses when trying to determine if water damage is present in your home

Look At The Walls And Ceilings

The walls can change in many different ways when they are exposed to water damage. The changes in the look of your paint are common indicators such as bubbling, cracking, or flaking. These signs can point to water collecting behind the paint. Additionally, drywall will change in texture if it has been exposed to excessive moisture, causing the paint to flake or crack. 

Not only can the texture of walls be affected, but also the colors on the interior or exterior walls as well as the ceiling. These discolorations are symptoms of water damage as they are usually watermarks. No matter the size of the discoloration, it’s imperative that you DO NOT paint over these spots. It will be out of sight temporarily but it will resurface and cause bigger issues. 

In addition to texture and color, there are other signs that are a little easier to find. You may also see leaking in different places, such as door frames, roofs, and window frames. These leaks can cause puddles in the home, making it another thing to keep an eye out for. Make sure to keep a keen eye out for any of these signs to catch the water damage in your home.

Soft Walls To The Touch

As stated earlier, the drywall may become cracky or flaky if water has been soaked up. However, it may also become soft, depending on the wall and how much water has been absorbed. When touching the wall, if it feels anything but solid, there can be water damage present in those walls. 

Listen For Dripping Or Running Water

If you can hear running or dripping water when all your faucets are off, there is definitely water damage present in the home. Depending on how bad the damage is, you will hear drips, slow flow, or rushing water. Make sure to listen to the source of the water to find the cause, as these sounds can indicate a leaky or burst pipe. This will need quick attention as you may be able to catch the issue before it turns into something worse. 

Musty Or Moldy Smell

There is a distinct smell that goes along with mold and stagnant water. If you smell this musty scent when trying to discover water damage, it is a clear indicator. It can be found in many places in your home such as drywall or wood. This distinct smell usually goes hand in hand with mold and water damage. When you first discover the smell, try to track it down to its source to find out the root issue. Mold only takes about 24 hours to develop after water damage so be sure to keep an eye out.

In Conclusion

If any of these occurrences are happening in your home or something is out of the ordinary, it’s best to get it sorted out as soon as possible. Water damage happens quickly and can be dangerous so it’s important that it is done right the first time around. Whether they are simple fixes that can be done on your own or professionals need to be called, it’s important to go through the proper steps of making sure that everything is done correctly, timely, and thoroughly. By doing this, this water damage will be a one-time occurrence and you won’t need to deal with the effects of the damage again in the future. Contact professionals at Restoration 1 to assist you with your water damage cleanup to get the job done right.