Water Damage Restoration - Determine the Age of Water Damage

Repairs for water damage is a typical issue for any property, and sometimes the issue is distinct and other times it isn’t. Things such as overflowing sinks, bathtubs or toilets are typical problems connected to water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. However, plumbing lines run all over your home, and this includes areas you can’t see such as between the floors and inside the walls. It’s safe to say that a leaky pipe in a concealed space can occur. It’s an irritating problem since you can’t see the leak and you won’t notice it until the water damage appears.

However, when you catch damage to your walls or water spots on your ceiling, these are the sure signs of a leaky pipe or condensation causing a issue. Because the space is unseen, though, it’s difficult to verify how long the issue has lasted. Although there isn’t a way to find out exactly how long your water damage issue has persisted, there are some ways to diagnose whether the water damage is new or old.

Figure Out the Time Frame of the Damage Produced by Water

You can get an approximate age of your water damage by following this step-by-step process:

  • History of the House: An old home could already have some previous damage caused from water, so it’s essential to keep a record of what’s there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Tracking the weather is a great idea as well, since, if you have a a slow leak, it can take months for a spot to appear. Taking note of your water spots and damages can save you a lot of hassle when finding out whether your water damage is new or old.
  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any strong weather you had in your area such as heavy rain. Water spots can take awhile to develop if it’s a slight leak. Older properties could have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it’s important to keep a record of the spots you see while indicating whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: You can touch the spot- this will inform you a lot about the age of the damage produced by water. A new spot will feel wet but your ceiling or drywall will still feel strong, while an old spot will be mushy and soft since your material would have absorbed a good amount of water.
  • Look for Rings: Having rings around the damaged spot caused by water shows age. Consider it as if it was a tree- the more rings it has, the longer the damage produced by water has been present. Different shadings of the spot is also helpful since it indicates that the area leaks, dries, gets saturated, dries, so on and so forth. If it’s a brand new spot created by water, the area will be a single mark with no rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Learn about the material in your property, since water and moisture can get trapped by thick paint and tiles. And if water spots show up through these types of materials, this indicates the buildup of moisture has been there for awhile.
  • Mold Inspection: If you find that bacteria, or mold, is there, your water damage has been present for about two to three days.
  • Decay: Deteriorated material means that your water damage is either happening consistently or that it’s extensive because there’s standing water. A first case of damage produced by water typically won’t lead to decay.

Water Damage Restoration Technicians – Reach Out to Paul Davis

When you’re having water damage problems, Paul Davis’ expert team is here to help out. It’s important to take care of any leaks on your property before the damage becomes extensive. Our water damage restoration professionals can locate a leak and fix your property back to normal no matter the size of the job. Call us now at (712) 525-4248 and near your area will be there to help out.