Water damage can infiltrate your home in a number of different ways. From natural occurrences like heavy rain to problems inside the house like a broken pipe, water damage in Charlotte can sneak up on even the most diligent homeowner. It doesn’t take much water to start deteriorating things, and the longer things are exposed to water, the more that damage can compound.
Figuring out how fresh water damage is can be difficult, especially if the damage is concealed in a wall or under carpet or in another area that goes unnoticed. Of course, the sooner this damage is detected, the better – but being able to identify how long the damage has been there can give you a better idea at the extent of the damage, and how urgent the repairs may be.
Look For Rings & Staining
One of the most common signs of water damage is the discoloration of the affected area. Rings can develop on soft materials like drywall, especially if the damage has been happening intermittently. When there are multiple rings, it can indicate older water damage. If the damage isn’t caused by a continuous water supply, the damage can dry before the leak starts again. This causes the rings, and can give an indication as to how much water is leaking during each instance.
In order to find out how long the water damage has been happening, count the rings. The area of damage doesn’t necessarily indicate how much damage is happening every time the leak occurs, but the number of rings can indicate how often the leaks are happening. When some of these building materials have taken on excess water, it can cause the material to change color. The more stains or areas of discoloration, it generally points to a longer duration of leakage.
Get Your Hands on the Area
Simply feeling the spot where the damage occurred can also help you figure out how recently the damage happened. If the area is still wet, the damage is probably fresh if it still feels firm. If the damage has been there for a while, the surface will be soft and squishy or mushy. Fresh damage feels firm because it hasn’t absorbed the moisture yet.
Whenever there is water damage, there’s also a chance for mold to develop. Mold will eat away at the surface, and will spread quickly. Mold needs moisture to continue growing, so if mold is evident it means this damage might have been developing over time. Touching the affected area can give you an indication as to the extent of the damage, but also if there is any mold prevalent, as well. Mold can also be an indication that water damage has occurred, even if you don’t see any of the other telltale signs. For more information on how to tell if water damage is new or old, reach out to the experts at Remedics Restoration today.
