As a homeowner or property manager, it is important to be prepared for winter’s effect on your plumbing system. Knowing how to perform a quick water damage inspection is a key aspect of preparedness. When temperatures drop, the water within pipes may freeze and this causes pressure to build up within those pipes. If the pressure builds long enough without a release, the pipes will burst or crack.
Burst or cracked pipes cause water leaks that in turn, cause water damage. You should know how to spot water damage before the restoration specialists come around. In this article, we will provide you with ten tips for spotting water damage. Here are all the signs you should look out for:
- Sudden Mold or Mildew Growth
- Visible Water Stains
- Random Pools of Water
- Peeling, Cracking, or Bubbling Paint
- Unexplained Musty Odors
- Strange Dripping Noises
- High Humidity Levels
- Warped or Spongy Walls and Floors
- High Water Bills
- Low Water Pressure
- Sudden Mold or Mildew Growth
This is one of the most obvious signs of water damage in a home. Mold is known to grow in under a day after water damage. Mildew also thrives in moist, damp, and warm areas. Seeing either of these fungi in your home often means that there is untreated water damage somewhere. If you see them this winter, it is probably due to a burst frozen pipe.
When conducting your water damage inspection for mold or mildew growth, focus on places that are usually damp. For instance, pay special attention to your bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces. Mold and mildew may also show up in your kitchen.
Mold can be fuzzy green or black spots while mildew may show up in white or light brown patches. They may appear on your ceiling, walls, or floors. In extreme cases, you may find growths on your personal property such as your clothes and furniture.
- Visible Water Stains
Look out for stains or discoloration on your walls or ceiling. This discoloration is more often than not a water stain. It usually results from leaking pipes or plumbing issues. When water seeps into drywall, ceilings, or even floors, it will stain it. The stains may show up as light or dark brown rings and patches. Sometimes, water stains also appear around your sink or appliances.
If you see water stains during your water damage inspection, try to find the source of the damage. For instance, if the stains are on your ceiling, your roof may be leaking. Finding the source makes it easier to prevent continuous water damage.
- Random Pools of Water
You should check for pools of water around your sinks and bathrooms. Water leaks can go unnoticed for weeks and cause hidden damage. Any sign of moisture when you are sure that you haven’t spilled any water is a cause for concern. It is also often a sign of water damage.
Additionally, check your appliances that are connected to your plumbing system for random leaks. For instance, your washing machine, dishwasher, and HVAC may be a source of a water leak. You should also examine your refrigerator because while it is not connected to your plumbing system, it may leak water. When this water accumulates long enough, it can cause water damage around that area.
- Peeling, Cracking, or Bubbling Paint
The paint on your walls can be a telltale sign of water damage. When moisture gets into your drywall, it causes the paint to peel or crack. This is because the water loosens the paint’s adhesion to surfaces. Sometimes, the paint may also bubble with pockets of air beneath it or it may flake off. If your paint starts to peel or fall off without any apparent reason, you may have water damage.
This sign of water damage does not only manifest on your walls. It may also show up on your floors or cabinets if they are painted. Additionally, if your home has wallpaper rather than paint, the wallpaper may begin to flake. This may also be a sign of hidden water damage.
- Unexplained Musty Odors
Water damage causes high levels of moisture in a home and this leads to a specific smell. If your home is clean but still smells like a moldy piece of bread, you likely have water damage. Before drawing this conclusion, clean your home thoroughly and get rid of any items that may contribute to the smell.
Sometimes, the water damage is confined to only one part of your home. For instance, if your basement has water damage, the rest of your home will likely smell fine. Therefore, you should examine every aspect of your home from bathrooms to attics. If after cleaning and airing out your home, it still has a musty odor, you can safely conclude that you have water damage.
- Strange Dripping Noises
Water leaks are a leading cause of water damage because they often occur in hard-to-reach places. If you want to perform a water damage inspection, you should listen for dripping sounds in your home. It is best to turn all faucets and taps off when listening for these noises.
Then, with your home as quiet as you can make it, go from room to room and listen carefully. You should pay extra attention to walls, ceilings, and floors. If you hear constant dripping noises, it is worth it to schedule a professional home inspection. The earlier you catch a water leak, the easier it is to repair.
- High Humidity Levels
Water damage often makes a home more humid than normal. Many homeowners use portable dehumidifiers to deal with this issue but it is a temporary fix. Sometimes, poor ventilation causes high humidity within a home. Therefore, you should first attempt to open your windows to circulate more air. If you don’t have water damage, this should solve the issue.
However, if opening windows does nothing and your walls are constantly wet for no reason, you may have water damage. Moisture should not be showing up on your walls, floors, or ceiling out of the blue. It is often a sign that water is accumulating in the wrong places.
If you have access to a hygrometer, you should use it to measure the level of humidity in your home. This is because it gives you the most accurate reading. Your home’s humidity levels should be between 30-50%. However, certain rooms such as bathrooms tend to have higher humidity levels.
- Warped or Spongy Walls or Floors
When performing a water damage inspection, thoroughly inspect the texture of your walls and floors. Water damage softens the components of your walls and floors. This makes them soft or spongy to the touch. Your walls may also start to look saggy because the drywall is absorbing water.
You should also check for bulging and swollen spots on your floors. This is especially important for places like your bathrooms and kitchen where water often touches the floor. Feel for soft or squishy spots on your floors. If you notice any of these signs, it is time to call a water damage restoration company. They can repair and reconstruct the damage to avoid severe home accidents.
- High Water Bills
A water leak can cause your water bill to shoot up dramatically. You should keep an eye on your water and energy bills. Ordinarily, the difference in your bills each month shouldn’t be more than a few dollars. If you notice a random spike in the price and there is no other plausible explanation, it is most likely water damage. You should call a plumber to investigate and determine whether or not you have a leak.
- Low Water Pressure
If your water pressure is lower than usual, you may have a leak somewhere causing water damage. Check your water shutoff valve to be sure that you haven’t turned off your water by mistake. You should also try shutting off the water and then checking your water meter. When the water is shut off, the meter should reflect that. However, if you shut the water off and your meter shows that the water is still running, you likely have a water leak and damage.
Conclusion
Knowing how to spot water damage helps you find and contain the problem quickly before it becomes irreparable. You can carry out your own water damage inspection before hiring a restoration company. Start by examining your home for mold, mildew, and water stains. These signs are almost always an indication of water damage.
Additionally, you should check your humidity levels, and feel your walls and floors for warped and soft spots. Look out for unexplained musty odors and unusually high water bills because it may mean that you have a leak.
Avoid treating water or mold damage by yourself. You should reach out to a professional water damage restoration company instead. On-Call Restoration can beat winter’s effect on your plumbing system. Reach out to us today to get started.
