What Does Water Damage Look Like? And Who Do I Call To Fix It?
When you start researching water damage, you will discover that it can come from various sources.
This can include anything from a local flood, to a thunderstorm, to a hurricane, leaky appliances, and a burst pipe just to name a few.
Water damage can either appear suddenly or it can slowly creep its way into the household by entering your walls, ceiling, floors, and so on, and damaging them from the inside out.
If you haven’t noticed the water damage immediately, or you have noticed it but have done nothing about it, then the damage can be more than extensive.
This can lead to some wood damage, the creation of mould, structural damage, and much more.
Ultimately, this will become one of the biggest financial headaches you have had in your life.
What does water damage look like?
Below you’ll find a list of telltale signs of water damage:
-A musty smell
-A sagging ceiling
-A few water stains which often appear in a darker colour
-Some water rings on the ceiling
-Peeling or bubbling
-Small hairline cracks, or a larger web of cracks
-Growth of mold (this can usually happen in very damp locations such as the basement)
What about water damage on my walls? What do I look for?
-Check if there is softened drywall. Make sure that it is safe to do this first, and if it is, then press on the areas where you think that water damage has happened. This is an easy thing to check and the results are visible in an instant. If the wall sinks inward, or if you notice that there are some depressions on the wall, then it is more than likely you are dealing with water damage. This is the type of water damage that comes from the inside. In this case, the exterior looks normal.
-You will notice some discolourations. This is something that oftentimes happens in the form of a streak and it can be long, very long. It can run from one end to the next in the affected area.
-You will also notice some light brown water rings.
-When it comes to the paint, it will start doing things no paint should ever do. It will look cracked and bubbling, and as soon as the damage happens within the wall, this is what is happening on the outside of it. The bubbles form in various sizes and as soon as they pop, they can cause even more damage than you think.
-You will notice a musty smell.
What do I look for when it comes to floor water damage?
In this case, there is one thing that you need to remember at all times, and it is that hardwood floors are incredibly susceptible to water damage.
The areas around the main point of damage would bear the most of the damage done. They can show some of the following signs:
-An incredibly musty smell and a pungent odour.
-Crowning: This is what happens there a loss of moisture that has at one point been within the floor will leave the middle raised. At the same time, the edges will be left lowered, and the planks will be rounded too.
-Cupping: This is another thing that may happen if you are dealing with a flood in your floor. This is where all of the planks edges curl upward, and the middle of it is a little bit depressed. This is a clear sign of serious damage.
-Discolouration: This means that the process of creating mould or mildew has already started.
-Warping: This is another thing that can happen to the flooring. In this case, the flooring will look cracked and it may even give out the appearance as it is bubbling from the inside.
-Buckling: The floor will start to separate itself from the seams and it will even peel upward.
As you have already noticed by now, if there is hidden water around the home, this can be incredibly damaging to the structural integrity.
This means that if this is left unattended, then this can be extremely dangerous. If you have started looking into some of the most common signs of water damage in your home, then look for some of the following ones:
-If you have any paint or wallpaper, it will start to come off the walls.
-You will start experiencing musty smells and a pungent odour.
-There will be plenty of stains everywhere, so there is no chance that you will miss them.
-There will be a sudden increase in your water bill, which will sound incredibly suspicious.
-The walls, ceiling, and floors will become disfigured too. You will notice they are becoming buckled, and warped, and start losing their shape.
-There will be an indicator that the mould growth process has started.
Is this termite damage or water damage? If you are thinking between the two, here are some of the most obvious signs you need to differentiate them.
If you have been asking yourself lately what is the difference between water damage and damage done by termites, the answer is easy.
All you need to do is look at the wood and its appearance after the damage is done. This is where it ultimately comes down to. The paint will start to peel off and bubble in both cases.
But in the case of water damage, the walls are incredibly soft when you touch them.
Other than that, they can be buckled, warped, and even start crumbling. Also, you will start noticing a musty smell and there will be some yellow and dark brown stains all over as well.
They will look like rings, and they will be visible on the walls and the ceilings.
On the other hand, the damage done by termites will leave the wood as hollow as it could get on the inside.
This can create a bigger issue than water damage. Termites are also known for leaving a trail behind them and they will create a sort of honeycomb appearance to the wood in your home.
In any case, you need to contact a water damage company and have them assess the situation. They will determine the extent of the water damage and they will provide you with an appropriate cleanup and restoration plan.
Remember to stop the water before you go in to start cleaning it up. Once that bit is over, the water damage company should determine which type of water they are dealing with out of the three, and, the entire property will be checked for any unnoticed water damage.
This is also where the professionals look for any lead or asbestos.
After the extent of the damage has been determined, the cleanup time begins, where all the furniture is removed, cleaned, and the home is slowly being brought back to its former glory.
Who do I call when I find water damage in my home?
We advise you to call a reputable water damage company near you. Do your research in your part of town. Here at 911 Water Damage Experts, you can expect our team to be on-site within 45 minutes.
If you have any questions about our article “What Does Water Damage Look Like? And Who Do I Call To Fix It?” or need a water damage restoration company, feel free to call us at 1-833-WE-DRY-IT or chat with us in near real-time on our Facebook fan page.
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