The most common water damage signs are dark spots, water stains, or peeling paint. However, it’s easy to miss the early signs of water damage unless there is a lot of water. Hidden water leaks can lead to smells and mold growth. However, floods, major leaks, and catastrophic plumbing failures can lead to structural damage. We explain what water damage looks like and how to tell whether the damage is new or old.
What Are the Signs of Water Damage in Your Home?
Preventing damage starts with knowing what to look for. You should check your home for the following warning signs of water damage every couple of months. If you see any of these common signs, get them fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage or structural issues.
1. Dark Spots or Water Stains
Do you have dark spots or yellowish water stains? Those are telltale signs of water leaks. They are most common with slow plumbing leaks. In some cases, they might only drip when your use a faucet or after flushing your toilet.
Look for dark spots or water stains on walls, ceilings, carpeting, and inside cabinets. Dark water spots usually mean the damage is very fresh, while yellowish, brown, or white, chalky stains usually mean older damage.
2. Bubbling, Peeling, or Cracking Walls & Ceilings
Is the paint on your walls or ceilings bubbling, peeling, or cracking? These are obvious signs of excess moisture.
Bubbling or peeling paint usually means that the inside of the wall is wet. Cracks are caused when the area repeatedly gets wet and drys out.
Although humidity and condensation can lead to bubbling paint, leaks are the major cause. Look for plumbing issues, siding and roof leaks, or any other unexpected source of water.
3. Mold Growth
Is mold growing on your walls, ceiling, carpeting, or cabinets? With a consistent water source, mold will grow on almost anything in your home.
It usually looks like a blotchy or powdery stain but can get fuzzy over time. While you can clean mold with bleach, it will keep coming back until you address your water problem.
Although black mold is most well known, mold can be any color from blue to grey to white. Despite sensational stories about certain molds, all molds pose similar health risks. However, the biggest cause for concern is that they are actually eating away at your home.
4. Damp or Musty Smells
Do you have a damp or moldy smell? Musty odors are another sign of water damage. Water issues have a distinct smell similar to wet newspaper or cardboard. The odor is usually strongest around the damaged area.
Does it smell after it rains? The problem is likely an exterior leak, so check your foundation, siding, and roof. However, plumbing leaks are usually the cause if the smell is consistent.
5. Higher Water Bills
Although most water bills vary from month to month, a higher-than-average bill could indicate a potential problem. Since a sudden spike will likely come with catastrophic damage, you really want to look for a steady, unexplained increase.
Most plumbing leaks start small and get worse in time, so look at three to six months’ worth of bills at a time. While they will fluctuate, look for a general upward trend that you cannot explain.
Take into consideration things like kids leaving or returning from college, parties or gatherings, holiday guests, watering your lawn, and other events where you use more water than normal. If you can’t account for the increase, look for the other signs of damage listed above.
How to Check for Water Damage?
Looking for water damage is very easy. While you may think you need special tools, all you really need are your eyes, hands, and a little time.
Walk through your home and look for water damage signs. If you see dark spots or stains, touch the spot to see if it’s wet. If the surface is damp or spongy, the odds are good there is a water problem.
However, tracking down the cause of the problem is usually more difficult. Call a water damage restoration company if you cannot find the source. They have the training and equipment to find the issue and restore your home.
What Does Water Damage Look Like?
In most cases, water damage looks like either dark spots or yellowish-brown stains. This is especially true of walls and ceilings. Eventually, paint and wallpaper will peel off walls, and drywall can crack or crumble.
Carpeting and fabric are usually darker when wet. However, it may appear lighter in color or even have a white stain. In some cases, carpeting or fabric can start to wear or even fall apart.
Wood and composite materials like flooring or cabinets will swell or warp when wet. Stains may appear white or dark depending on the circumstances. Finished woods may also lose their luster or shine.
Here is what to look for when checking for damage:
- Yellow or brown spots on walls and ceilings
- Bowed, cracked, or warped walls
- Soft spots on cabinets, walls, and flooring
- Peeling or bubbling paint
- Visible mold
- Unexpected damp areas
- Discolored spots
How to Tell If Water Damage Is New or Old?
You can normally tell if your damage is new or old by the size of the stain or the amount of damage. Older damage usually has darker yellowish-brown stains, while newer problems normally look like dark spots.
How Long Does It Take for Water Damage to Show?
It takes between 1 and 24 hours for water damage to show. However, it can be easy to miss water problems. This is especially true if the damage inside walls, cabinets, or dark corners.
What to Do If I Have Signs of Water Damage?
If you find water damage, you need to take care of it immediately. Whether you have a minor leak or a major disaster, any water problem can lead to a serious problem if left untreated. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of mold, smells, and structural problems.
The best way to avoid costly repairs is to start cleanup immediately. Although it’s normal to worry about the cost of repairs, waiting will only end up costing you more. Water damage repair costs depend upon several factors including the size and location of the leak, the type of material affected, and the severity of the damage.
If you notice any of these signs, contact us right away! We offer 24-hour emergency service and our technicians are available to help with water removal, drying, and repair services. We know how important it is to keep your family safe and dry during a flood or leak. That’s why we provide 60-minute response times and affordable pricing. Call 1-855-875-0832 now for your free quote from our local water restoration specialists.
