Water damage is one of the more long-term issues that can affect a home. Pipes run throughout your home, including the insides of your ceilings and walls, so most of the time homeowners aren’t even aware that their property has incurred water damage. Condensation or a leak in these pipes can cause your ceiling and walls to deteriorate, and one of the most difficult aspects of this is determining if the water damage is old or recent. How can you tell if water damage is recent or not? What should you do?Water in crawl space specialist Special Touch Restoration is here to help!
Know Your Property
It’s vital to record any water damage spots on your property when deciding whether the damage is old or new when evaluating whether the water damage is old or new. Always be on the lookout for any storms that, like a rainstorm, could cause hidden water damage to the surface, as proactiveness beats reactive measures. And keep in mind that tiny leaks can take months to surface, so don’t forget that you’ll be able to diagnose your problem faster if you know what’s new and what’s old within your home, and always familiarize yourself with your property.
Feel the Spot and Look for Rings
Feel the affected area since it will tell you a lot about the age of the water damage that has occurred. Because the material has absorbed a lot of water, a recent spot will be moist but your drywall or ceiling will still be strong, whereas an older spot would be softer and tender to the touch. Then, observe for smudges and dark rings. The water damage is most likely new if there is no ring around the surface, and the damage must be old if rings are surrounding the black spot. It’s also worth noting that as the number of rings increases, the longer the water has penetrated and seeped into the material (which can lead to the formation of invasive growths that will promptmold restoration services).
Material Condition and Risk of Decay
It’s vital to be aware of the materials that make up your walls and ceilings, as they might retain water if they’re covered in thick paint or tiles. If this is the case, even a small water spot can be a sign that water has been accumulating for a long time. Keep in mind that the first time water causes harm to construction materials, it usually takes a long time for them to deteriorate. If the material has deteriorated, it has been subjected to a lot of water or flooding, which means you’ll need professional assistance and inspections done ASAP.
Contact Us!
Need a team to deal withbasement water damage? Special Touch Restoration is a company of experts that strives to be the recognized leader of the disaster restoration industry and to provide a company structure that forever upholds the commitment of total customer satisfaction. Our restoration technicians have been trained in the methods and practices of the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), as well as specialize in crawl space encapsulation, which is heavily susceptible to moisture problems that can prompt costly repairs!
For any inquiries, contact us through our offices in North Alabama (256) 330-4822 or South Alabama (251) 512-1424. You can also fill out ourcontact form to request an appointment.