Identifying water damage
by Ritch Paprocki on May 20, 2010 at 7:01 pm
As a water damage restoration pro with more than twenty years of experience in Lincoln & Omaha, I’ve seen my share of water damaged materials. Some materials like carpet are easy to identify when they are wet. Other materials, such as wet drywall or wood framing, are difficult to detect elevated moisture without sensitive moisture meters. It doesn’t take much water to damage your home and its power is usually underestimated. A plumbing trap that is not tight, clogged drain, clogged gutters, leaking toilet, foundation leaks and even bad landscaping choices, over time, can cause extensive water damage and even affect your air quality.
Some forms of water damage provide little warning and make protecting against them a challenge. But many water leaks and malfunctions leave warning signs that can be detected, if you know what to look for. If you’re aware of these water damage warning signs you can take a proactive approach to water damage prevention or even mold prevention. The following is a list of the common water signs that can help you identify water damage and fix it before it becomes a disaster, causes mold growth or even impact the value of your house.
Water Stains
Other than standing water, water stains are the most obvious indicator for ongoing water damage. It’s one of the first things I look for when performing water damage inspections. If you detect any water stains, conduct a thorough investigation to find the source of the problem and make required repairs to avoid expensive restoration costs in the future. The cost of repairing water damage is usually a fraction of a mold remediation project. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has never been more true.
Windows & Doors
Water stains around windows or at the bottom of exterior doors indicate that water is penetrating the structure from the outside. Sticking windows or doors that suddenly don’t close properly are a great indication of water damage. Wood windows, doors and wall framing absorb water and consequently swell, resulting in sticking window sashes and door slabs.
Ceiling
Water stains at the joint between the ceiling and an exterior wall could be a sign for a possible roof leak or an ice dam problem. Unless you have water lines that run in the attic, water stains anywhere else along the ceiling, indicates a possible roof leak. The location of the stain does not necessarily indicate that the leak is right above it as water may travel in inside the ceiling.
In general, roofs don’t leak within the field of the shingles. Rather, they leak where there are penetrations (plumbing vents, skylights chimneys), at the ridge or valley of the roof or where the roof transitions. These leaks can be difficult to identify but regular roof maintenance helps reduce the risk.
Cabinets
If you can see a water stain on the floor of a cabinet, it’s probably a sign of water leaking from the sink trap, or from somewhere else in the sink’s drain system.
Finish Carpentry
Finish and trim carpentry reacts quickly to exposure to water and elevated moisture content. Since wood expands across its grain as it absorbs moisture, finish carpentry will cup, twist and deform as the moisture content changes. In areas prone to water intrusion such as basements, pay close attention to any gaps that appear between the base trim and the wall.
Flooring
Wood flooring absorbs water. if you can see buckling of the floor, you may have water inside the wood floor. This is harder to detect when the wood sub-flooring is covered with carpets.
The high-risk areas for floor water damage are in the kitchen around the dishwasher, and the refrigerator (especially if your model has an icemaker) because these appliances combine both a water supply line and a drain line that can leak.
Another high-risk area is the bathroom. Check the floor around the toilet and in front of the tub or shower, where water damage can occur from the day-to-day use of the bathroom such as splashing, unsealed shower curtains, and from people dripping water on the floor.
Drywall
An indicator for water damage in drywall is if it is soft and breaks down. You may also identify water damaged drywall when it is discolored and slightly swollen. These indicators are usually found in the same areas as the water stains and buckled floors.
Odors & Smells
Another great indicator that your house has sustained water damage is odor. Stale, stagnant and earthy odors may be a symptom of a bigger problem.