As stated above, water damage often leaves walls soft to the touch or deformed, bent and crumbling. It also tends to cause a musty smell and dark brown or yellow stains, lines or rings on both ceilings and walls. If your home isn't thoroughly cleaned and dried after the flood, water damage to your home will continue to spread. Look for signs of long-term water damage, such as mold or mildew.
You may also notice a musty smell in your home. These are all symptoms of persistent water damage and are usually signs that the water damage was more serious than you originally thought. You can still repair or replace damaged areas, although it can be a more complicated process than if you detect water damage early on. Pay attention to your monthly water bills.
Water bills have a certain seasonality, but if you see a sudden increase in water costs, a leak is likely to be the culprit. A toilet that isn't working properly can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day or more. All of this will “leak out” and appear on your water bill. It's a good idea to understand what water damage looks like in your insurance policy before a leak occurs.
Carefully read your homeowners policy, which will describe your coverages. If you still have questions, contact your insurance agent for more information. Mold spores can develop 24 to 48 hours after a flood. The faster and more efficiently you clean up after a leak, it will help reduce the likelihood of mold growing.
After cleaning and drying, remain sensitive to musty odors in the affected area. Any type of leak, a leaky pipe or roof, can cause serious structural damage, and if not properly handled and repaired, this damage can worsen over time. Jenkins Restorations specializes in rebuilding and repairing properties damaged by wind, water, fire, storms, vandalism or theft. You may not hear the plumbing burst as a homeowner, but you can hear subsequent sounds, such as water cascading, squirting, or falling.
If you have a gradual leak, it will likely appear as a weak spot at first and will continue to darken as water builds up. RSI's ServiceMaster Restoration has the equipment and training to professionally restore your home to a pre-water damage state. Some examples of gradual damage that can cause leaks are decay, corrosion, deterioration of electrical cables, and pipe faults. If you see mold growing on your walls, especially in areas where plumbing solutions aren't known, it's most likely due to water damage to the walls.
Not only is your home susceptible to structural damage, but mold can begin to grow rapidly if there has been water damage. Knowing how to identify water damage in your home will not only save you money on expensive repairs, but it will also eliminate potential serious health problems. A hidden water leak in a basement, slow leaks in roofs, and even a leaking faucet can damage a building over time. Sudden water includes something that happens quickly, such as a broken washing machine hose, a storm, or a broken pipe.
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