Water Damage Can Take Many Forms, Don’t Let it Go Undetected

10/11/2018 (Permalink)

Water follows the path of least resistance, not the path of best visibility.

Not all water damage looks like wet floors or water dripping from the ceiling, although it can definitely take these forms. Some water damage is harder to spot, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous to your home. Especially if you are coming home from a trip or thinking about buying or selling a home, there are a few signs that you can check for to see if there may be unnoticed water damage. 

Behind the Walls: Check your walls for discoloration or staining. You might also see peeling paint or bubbling. You can also touch walls to see if they are buckling outwards or if they feel soft or squishy to the touch. These can be indicators that water has leaked or migrated behind the walls of your home or business. Drywall loses its integrity when its wet and so even if it doesn’t feel “wet,” its behavior can still be an indicator of unseen moisture.

Under the Floors: Even if there isn’t water pooling on top of the flooring, or if the carpeting doesn’t feel wet, there could still be water affecting the subfloor. Check for any buckling, warping, or discoloration in your floors. These can be signs of the presence of water or excess moisture between the flooring and the subfloor or in the subfloor.

Special Locations: Be sure to use these techniques to check the basement and the attic, where water damage is most likely to occur.

Other Indicators: Of course, if you are smelling a tell-tale musty odor or if you can see any mold growth, these are also clear indicators that there may be water or moisture where it shouldn’t be.

These tips are just the beginning, if you do suspect water damage in your home, give us a call at 434-977-5850 or an email at office@SERVPROcharlottesville.com