Water can cause a lot of damage to your home and can get in either from a flood, sewer backup, or faulty plumbing. If you do not catch the issue early enough, water can cause irreversible damage to your home and your belongings. But, how can you tell your house has water damage? Spotting water damage isn’t always as easy as finding a big pool of water, there are several other signs to look out for.
Here we have outlined some of the most common signs that you have water damage:
1. Mold
Mold will begin to grow in areas that are consistently damp. If you had a flood or a leaking pipe and all the water wasn’t removed properly chances are you have or will have mold growth. Mold can lead to a host of health complications if left untreated. Mold usually appears as black or white specks but isn’t always visible. Mold can grow on the inside of your drywall for months before it becomes visible on the other side.
2. Musty Odor
A musty odor is usually accompanying mold growth, if you begin to notice this unpleasant musty odor chances are that there is mold in a hidden area. The odor tends to be more concentrated around the cause of the dampness. If left unchecked, the odor will grow in its potency as the mold continues to spread. If you notice a musty smell in your basement after a heavy rainfall or once the snow has melted, you may want to check for damage to your foundation, as this most certainly means water is getting into your home.
3. Changes To Walls and Floors
Wood and drywall are both porous materials with the ability to absorb moisture, if these materials are exposed to water, over time they will eventually bulge, sag, or lift. You may not notice any gradual changes right away but over time they will be much more obvious. The first signs of water damaged walls and hardwood floors will be discolouration and perhaps paint bubbling. If you do see these signs, do not ignore them as the damage will progressively get worse. Find the root cause and stop it, then make sure to dry up any remaining water in the area.
4. Jump in Your Water Bill
You are probably use to your water bill fluctuating by 10%-20% depending on the season, but if you notice a drastic spike in your water consumption or in your sewage bill is a telltale sign that you have a plumbing issue. Inspect your faucets and toilets to see if they are running, leaking, or dripping. If you are not able to find any issue with your fixtures, this could mean you have a hidden broken pipe somewhere. Look for pooling water, or other signs of water damage.
Dealing with water damage is not fun, in most cases the damaged material needs to be taken out and discarded. Calling a professional water damage restoration professional will ensure that the job is done correctly and safely.
