What is the worst problem you can think about that can happen to your home? Structural damages? Fire? Earthquakes? Together with these natural disasters is water damage, which is usually caused by man-made problems such as neglect. This is one of the worst nightmares for any homeowner. Water damage doesn’t only put in limbo the structure and foundation of the house, but it can also cause health problems such as respiratory problems.
When there are water problems in your home, what could be the problem and how do you find the cause? How do you fix it? Do you need a SWPPP or stormwater pollution prevention plan? Do you need to get a new plumbing system installed? How about the stormwater runoff? Where does that water go? These are the thought processes that homeowners go through when they discover water damage in their homes.
But before trying to find a way out of this predicament, you first have to know how to detect water damage issues. What are the signs? How do you know you need to call a water damage professional?
Funky Odors
The first sign of water damage is the one you cannot see. Your sense of smell, though, is another matter. There’s a musty and earthy smell in the air. The smell is similar to a dirty sock or damp leaves during autumn. If the sewage is the problem, you’ll likely smell it, too. If it’s not sewage, the smell will be whatever’s damp in the room—wood, concrete, carpet, and drywall. Mold and mildew are causes of these funky odors, too.
But remember that not all mold and mildew will smell. Just because there’s no funky odor in your house doesn’t mean you’re safe from water damage. It is still best to inspect the house for other signs of water damage.
Damaged and Peeling Paint
Is the paint on your wall bubbling and peeling? This is a clear sign that there’s water damage inside the walls. The pipes that run through the walls may have a leak and water is seeping through the porous surface. Another sign of water damage on the wall is the brown and yellowish stain that water leaves behind. This usually happens because of leaking, sweating, or condensation.
So how can you detect where the problem is? If there’s a water stain, you can follow the line of the water stain until where it stops. That area where the water stain is could be the problem. You need to call a licensed plumber to figure out what to do with this problem.
Damp Floors
Hardwood and laminated floors are trendy and beautiful to look at. However, they present a big problem when it comes to leaky pipes, too. When there’s mysterious dampness on the floor, this can be a cause of leaking pipes underneath. If some of the wood tiles are popping out of place, this is another sign of water damage in the system. The floor might also feel soft and spongy when the wooden floor truss system is rotting away.
The tile floors are the same. When you noticed that the tiles are suddenly loose and damp, then a water problem might be the culprit. This is noticeable in the bathroom, too. After taking a shower, the tub and floor tiles should dry up in a couple of hours. If there’s standing water there or the tiles still feel damp hours after you last took a shower, then that’s a clear sign of water damage.
Water Stains on the Ceiling
Look up. Are there water stains on your ceiling? How about the ceiling near your gutter outside? These are usually the areas that suffer most from water damage. It is primarily caused by a hole or damage on the roof. The best way to test this theory is to go up the roof and check for holes and cracks. If you found some, you can use a silicone sealant until a professional can fix it permanently.
Roof leaks are the biggest culprit when it comes to water damage in the house. One tiny hole on the roof can cause a hundred other problems in the house—from water stains on the ceiling to broken gutters to wall dampness. Make sure to inspect the roof regularly to address these problems immediately.
Owning a home is no small matter. You have to be a good keeper to extend the life of the roof, wood tiles, wallpaper, plumbing fixtures, and many others. Water damage is a major maintenance problem, so make sure you know enough about its signs to prevent them from worsening.