Figuring Out the Age of a Water Spot – Water Damage Restoration

Water damage restoration is a typical issue for any home, and sometimes the issue is apparent and other times it isn’t. Things like flooding bathtubs, toilets and sinks are common issues related to water damage and you know there is a problem when this occurs. However, plumbing lines run all over your house, and this involves places you can’t see such as inside the walls and between the floors. Unfortunately a pipe leaking in an unseen location can happen. It’s an irritating problem because you can’t see what’s going on and you won’t be aware until the water damage appears.

For these areas that can’t be seen, it’s challenging to find out how old or new the damage produced by water is. Though, you could have a pipe that’s been slightly leaking for a period of time but because it’s not in plain sight, you don’t know how long. There’s no way to determine exactly how long the problem has persisted, but there are some methods to approximate the age of the water damage.

A Step-by-Step On Water Damage – Evaluate its Time Frame

By taking the step-by-step process listed below, you can learn how old or new the damage caused by water:

  • History of the House: Keep a record of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any strong weather you had in your location such as heavy rain. Damages and spots caused by water can take some time to pop up if the leak is modest. Older properties might have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it’s essential to keep a record of the spots you perceive while indicating whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • History of the House: Take note of any spots on your walls or ceilings and take into account any strong weather you had in your location such as heavy rain. Damages and spots caused by water can take some time to pop up if the leak is modest. Older properties might have some water spots and damages that were sustained previously. So it’s essential to keep a record of the spots you perceive while indicating whether this is old water damage or old water damage.
  • Touch the Spot: If the water spot is aged, it will be mushy and soft because during the period of the water leak, your ceiling or drywall has absorbed a good amount of water. A new spot will feel wet but it won’t be soft to the touch.
  • Look for Rings: Outlining rings around the damaged spot generated by water shows its age. Remember it as if it was a tree- the more rings it has, the older the damage produced by water is. Color variations of the stain is also helpful because it indicates that the area leaks, dries, gets saturated, dries, etc. If it’s a brand new water spot, the area will be a single stain with zero rings around it.
  • Examine the Materials: Get to know the material around your home, because water can become trapped by thick paint and tiles. So if spots generated by water show up through these types of materials, this indicates the buildup of moisture has been there for awhile.
  • Mold Inspection: If bacteria has had time to inhabit the area, this implies that the damage produced by water has been present for about two to three days.
  • Rot: If your materials decay from water damage, this is typically the result of consistent flooding or standing water. Decomposition typically won’t happen from the first case of leakage.

Contact Paul – Your Skillful Water Damage Restoration Contractors

If you’re having water damage issues, look no further than Paul Davis. It’s vital to take care of any dripping pipes on your property before the damage becomes serious. Our water damage restoration experts can locate a leak and fix your home back to normal conditions no matter how big or small the job is. Call us today at (301) 420-7285 and in your area is there to help out.