Water Damage Signs: How To Tell Your Home Is Water Damaged
When water damage strikes, you have to act fast. The longer you wait, the more expensive the water damage gets.
The trick is knowing how to spot water damage before everything spirals out of control.
Below, we highlight the must-know telltale signs of water damage that’ll teach you what to look out for.
Let’s get right into it.
1. Your House Smells Bad
Water from your faucet doesn’t smell awful when you pour it into a glass, but water that has been allowed to soak into drywall, basements, and other surfaces does.
This is due to the fact that it creates ideal circumstances for the growth of mould and mildew.
See if you can detect an odour if you believe there may be water damage but aren’t quite sure.
When exposed to water, some materials absorb the water like sponges. Without airflow, you may develop black spots from creeping mould and that dreadful, obnoxious odour.
2. You Notice Mould
Sometimes you’re fortunate enough to see the mould development in addition to being able to smell it.
In your home, mould doesn’t just start to grow randomly.
It requires moisture, and homes naturally have moisture from water. Act swiftly as soon as you observe mould growth since it spreads quickly.
It can damage your property by thousands of dollars and lead to respiratory problems including bronchitis, allergies, and asthma.
3. You Notice Ceiling And Wall Stains
Stains on the ceiling and walls are among the most typical indications of early water damage.
Water can collect in ceiling panels or drip down walls once it has penetrated the roofing materials.
Thankfully, the stains are usually visible within a few days of a water leak happening. Therefore, you still have time to take action before mould growth, unpleasant odours, and serious damage.
Your walls and ceiling may occasionally have a single small stain with rings of larger stains surrounding it.
These frequently result from a minor leak that first dries, then seeps once again. These peculiar stains might develop as a result of rain events or even snow melting.
4. You Notice Sagging Walls And Ceilings
Sagging walls or ceilings are a solid sign if you have water damage in your building.
Water can make the materials in your walls and ceilings swell, which alters how they sit on your walls or ceilings.
If they are left in such a condition, they run the risk of falling off or getting worse.
5. You Notice Flaking, Bubbling, And Cracking
Water damage may be evident if you’ve noticed that the paint or drywall on your walls or ceilings is beginning to flake, bubble, or crack.
This is especially visible near walls that are located in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
6. You Notice Higher Utility Bills
The typical western homeowner will spend about $70 per month on water, which is enough to supply the 300 gallons or so that the typical household uses each day.
However, if you’ve seen a rise in that cost in recent months, try to come up with an explanation.
If you haven’t changed your water usage significantly, the issue may be a leak caused by damaged plumbing or a malfunctioning device.
At this time, you should also be on the lookout for any additional indications of water damage, including mould, an unpleasant aroma, stains on the ceiling and walls, and drooping.
7. You Notice A Running Water Sound
Always keep an ear out for the sounds of flowing water if you suspect water damage or a water leak, even if you just believe you’re hearing things.
Even if there are no visible signs, you can still hear them. It could be necessary to look into dripping, creaking, and rushing sounds further.
Where To Find Water Damage
You might not know where to start looking when you suspect a water leak or water damage in your residence or place of business.
Particularly in the absence of any obvious symptoms, such as wall and ceiling stains and mould growth.
The bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room are three areas of your house that can be the greatest places to start looking.
The Kitchen
The kitchen can be the source of all your water damage problems even though it is the hub of the house.
Since your kitchen contains a majority of the plumbing in your house, it may be the origin of a water leak that remains undiscovered for a while.
Thankfully, you can see the kitchen pipes under your sink, which are frequently the source of leaks.
Bad scents that don’t appear to go away can also be noted. But not only kitchen plumbing can result in water damage. Your appliances may possibly be the cause.
Look for any potential leaky areas in your refrigerator and dishwasher that can result in water damage.
The Bathroom
Because bathrooms are frequently exposed to moisture, it’s not always simple to spot water damage.
There are a few more things you can do, though, in addition to keeping an eye out for the obvious indications of water damage.
Dry the bathroom completely after using the shower or bathtub. The next time you use it, if you see water where it shouldn’t be, you may have concealed leaks and water damage.
The Laundry
Both washing machines and dryers can result in water leaks, therefore it is wise to periodically check these home equipment. Any fittings on your appliances that seem loose should be tightened. Check them occasionally.
It even pays to periodically remove appliances from the wall to check that the backs are dry and free of water damage.
Fortunately, most washers and dryers are rather simple to remove from a wall.
Additionally, any leaks that are present usually become apparent very soon, allowing you to remedy water damage swiftly.
Summary: Signs Your Home Is Water Damaged
- Your house smells bad
- You notice mould
- You notice ceiling and wall stains
- You notice sagging walls
- You notice cracking and bubbling
- You notice higher utility bills
- You hear running water sounds
If you have any questions about our article, “Water Damage Signs: How To Tell Your Home Is Water Damaged” or need water damage restoration services call (289) 271-3022 or chat with is on LiveChat or social media.
