Figuring Out the Age of Water Damage – Water Damage Repair

Water damage repair is a typical issue for any property, and sometimes the issue is distinct and other times it’s indistinct. Things like overflowing bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common issues associated with water damage and you know there is a problem when this happens. But plumbing lines run all over your property, and this involves areas you can’t see like inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a leaky pipe in a hidden area can occur. It’s a frustrating problem since you can’t see the leak and you won’t be aware before the water damage appears.

For these spaces that aren’t visible, it’s difficult to find out how old or new the water damage is. Nevertheless, you could have a leaky pipe that was slightly dripping for a period of time but because it’s not in plain sight, you don’t have a timeline. There’s no sure way to find out exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are some approaches to approximate the age of the water damage.

Discover the Lifetime of the Damage Caused by Water

The following tips can help you gain insight in finding out whether the damage produced by water is new or old:

  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your ceiling or walls and take into account any outside influences like a downpour. Water spots can take awhile to materialize if the leak is small. An older house could already have some water spots that were sustained previously. So it’s important to keep a record of the spots you notice while determining whether this is new water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: An older home could already have some previous damage provoked from water, so it’s essential to keep a record of what’s there and to note if the damage changes overtime. Keeping track of the weather is a good idea as well, because if you have a small leak, it can take months for a water spot to appear. Keeping track of your water damages can save you a lot of hassle when determining whether the damage produced from water is new or old.
  • Touch the Spot: You’ll be able to find out whether the damage produced by water is new or old just by feeling it. An old spot is going to be spongy because the material has absorbed a fair amount of water. A new spot is going to be moist, however, the material will feel solid.
  • Look for Rings: You know how tree rings determine the age of the tree? The same approach can be used for water spots. An old water spot will have rings around it. They will also be discolored since the area gets saturated then dries and gets saturated again then dries again, etc. A new spot will be dark with zero rings circling it.
  • Examine the Materials: Materials like tiles and thick paint can actually trap water, so when you have a spot created by water seeping through one of these, this can mean there’s been water lingering for awhile. Being aware of the materials can help you focus on your water damage issues more efficiently.
  • Mold Inspection: Bacteria development normally implies that the damage produced by water has lingered for approximately two to three days.
  • Deterioration: Your material doesn’t usually deteriorate from the first situation of damage generated by water. And when there has been decomposition, this indicates your material has been exposed to persistent standing water or flooding.

Contact Paul – Your Experienced Water Damage Repair Specialists

For any water damage repair needs, contact Paul Davis. When there’s a pipe dripping that you can’t identify, it’s crucial to get in touch with a professional. The expert team at Paul Davis has the experience and response time required to maintain your property. For a local franchise in your area, contact us at (281) 886-7755 and we’ll get a professional to come help you.