In a perfect world, our homes and businesses would stay in tip-top shape for as long as we owned them. But in reality, weather events, wear and tear, and appliance failure can lead to frustrating problems like water damage.

The worst part is, you don’t always know that it’s happening until the damage is already done. If you want to get on top of any water damage problems quick-smart, then be on the lookout for the common signs.

1. A Bad Smell

Pouring water from your tap into a glass doesn’t have a bad smell, but water left to seep into walls, basements, drywall, and other materials does. This is because it’s providing the perfect conditions for mould and mildew to grow.

If you suspect water damage, but you’re not quite sure, then see if you can notice an odour. Some materials become like sponges when met with water. Without air circulation, you can end up with black spots of spreading mould, followed by that awful, unforgettable smell.

2. Mould Growth

You may be able to smell the mould growth, but sometimes, you are lucky enough to see it as well. Mould doesn’t grow for no good reason in your home. It needs moisture – and moisture occurs in homes from water.

Mould growth happens fast, so as soon as you notice it, act quickly. It can cause respiratory issues like bronchitis, allergies, and asthma, while also causing thousands of dollars of damage to your home.

3. Ceiling and Wall Stains

One of the most common signs of early water damage are ceiling and wall stains. Once water leaks through your roofing materials, it can pool in your ceiling panels or run down your walls.

Fortunately, the stains can be evident within a few days of a water leak occurring. As a result, you’ve got time to act before mould growth, foul odours, and significant damage.

Sometimes, you may notice that your wall and ceiling stains have one small stain followed by rings of larger stains around them. Quite often, these are caused by a small leak that dries, then leaks again. Rain events and even snow melting can cause these unusual stains to form.

4. Sagging Walls and Ceilings

A sure sign that you’ve got water damage in your property is a sagging wall or ceiling. Water can cause your wall and ceiling materials to swell, which then changes the way they sit on your walls or ceilings. If left like that, the risk of them falling off or becoming more damaged increases.

5. Flaking, Bubbling, and Cracking

If you have noticed that the paint or drywall on your walls or ceilings is starting to flake, bubble, or crack, water damage could be present. This can be particularly noticeable around walls positioned in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries.

6. Higher Utility Bills

The average American will pay around $70 per month for their water, which covers the 300 gallons or so that the average family will use every day.

However, if you’ve noticed a spike in that bill in recent months, then rack your brain and see if you can figure out why.

If you’ve made no drastic changes to your water usage, then a water leak from faulty plumbing or a broken appliance might be to blame.

At this point, you should also be looking out for any of the other signs of water damage, such as mould, a foul odour, ceiling and wall stains, and sagging.

7. A Running Water Sound

You might just think you’re hearing things, but always keep your ears peeled for the sounds of running water if you suspect water damage or a water leak.

You may not see any signs, but you can certainly hear them. Dripping, creaking, and rushing sounds may require further investigation.

Where to Find Water Damage

When you come to suspect a water leak or water damage in your home or business, you may have no idea where to start looking.

Especially in the absence of any common signs like stains on your walls and ceiling and mould growth.

However, there are a few parts of your home that can be the best places to start looking, and those are in your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry.

The Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be the center of all your water damage woes.

Because a lot of your home’s plumbing exists in your kitchen, it can be the source of a water leak that goes unnoticed for a long time.

Fortunately, you can view kitchen pipes underneath your sink, which are often causes of leaks.

You can also take note of bad odours that don’t seem to leave. But it’s not just kitchen pipes that cause water damage. It can also be your appliances.

Inspect your dishwasher and refrigerator and take note of any possible leaky spots that may be causing water damage.

The Bathroom
It’s not always that easy to notice water damage in a bathroom, because it’s typically susceptible to moisture.

However, aside from looking out for the apparent signs of water damage, there are a couple of other things you can do.

After you shower or bathe, dry the room thoroughly. If you notice water in places it shouldn’t be the next time you use it, you may have water damage and a hidden leak.

The Laundry
Both washing machines and dryers can cause water leaks, which is why it pays to inspect these household appliances from time to time. Tighten any appliance fittings that seem loose, and check them periodically.

It even pays to pull appliances out from the wall every now and again and make sure the back is dry and water damage-free.

Fortunately, most washing machines and dryers are relatively easy to pull away from the wall.

What’s more, any leaks that are present tend to be noticeable relatively quickly, so that you can address water damage fast.