With 1 in 50 homes having to put an insurance claim in for water damage every year, it’s an unfortunately common problem — and one that can be very damaging or expensive.
Whether it’s because of the weather or something in the home going wrong, water damage is every homeowner’s worst nightmare because of how much damage it can do.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to prevent — the cause might be entirely outside of your control.
The best thing to do is to stay proactive and preventative. Keep an eye out for these signs of water damage, and act as soon as you see one — that way, you can stop the damage from getting too bad.
1. Cracking or Flaking
If you notice cracking or flaking, that’s one of the first signs. Water damage on the ceiling will often show itself in this way, so keep an eye above you.
Even though you may be expecting it to show itself on the floor, it could be that something is wrong with the roof and that’s how water is getting in, especially if you live in a particularly rainy place.
2. Mold
Have you noticed mold around the house? That’s almost a sure sign there’s water damage somewhere.
It might be an easy fix to stop the water from coming in, or it might be that you have to call in a professional to see what’s causing this.
At least 45 million buildings in the US have unhealthy levels of mold, and it can exacerbate health issues. If it’s gotten to the point of mold, it’s been going on for a while and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.
Mold can cause serious damage to your home as well as yourself, so don’t delay.
3. Dripping
If you see dripping around the house after it’s been raining, don’t put it down to unnaturally heavy weather and hold off getting someone to look at it.
Even when raining, dripping should never be inside the home.
4. Dark Spots
Are there dark spots on your ceiling or floors? You may be wondering exactly where these spots have come from.
More often than not, it’s because of water damage in the home. If water is dripping on and pooling in the same place for a while, it can cause serious discoloration to the area.
Not only does it not look very aesthetically pleasing, but it could also cause the ceiling to sag if left alone.
5. The Sound of Water
If you ever think you hear water, turn off the sound around the house and pause to take a good listen. Hearing water may not be coming from outside but from within the home, especially if it’s in combination with some other signs of water damage.
6. Foul Smells
Trust your nose! Have you been smelling something odd lately and aren’t sure what it is? Can’t find the source?
It could be a musty smell that can be attributed to water damage. You might smell it in one specific area of the house, or you might smell it everywhere.
If there’s a weird smell, it could be that you need water damage repair. Have someone come and look around for the source, which might be out of your view.
7. Low Temperatures
If the walls are damp on the inside because of water damage, you might notice that your home is difficult to heat.
If your heating suddenly isn’t doing a good job anymore, or you’ve just noticed the house is colder even though temperatures haven’t dropped outside, you might find that water damage is the one to blame.
Time to get it fixed, as cranking up the heat will only cost you more, use more energy, and may not even be successful heating the house!
8. A High Water Bill
If there’s a leak somewhere that you can’t see, your first warning sign may be a high water bill.
If you receive a bill that’s double or triple what you usually pay, don’t shrug it off, or blame a fault with the water company right away. Consider the fact you might have a leak somewhere that’s causing more water output than usual.
A professional can come and look around to find out if this is the case.
9. Rust
If you suspect water damage in the home, look around your water heater to make sure it’s not leaking. The easiest way you’ll be able to tell is if you can see rust.
Water should be contained within the heater so if there’s rust on the outside, it might be a problem.
10. Patch Jobs
When you first move into a place, make sure the paint jobs and repairs look legitimate.
If there are heavier paint or “patch jobs” in one area, it might be a sign that they’re trying to cover up some water damage and you should inquire about this repair job as soon as possible.
Make Sure You Keep an Eye Out for Water Damage!
Water damage is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. If left too long, it can cause expensive and time-consuming repairs, so it’s best to keep an eye out for it at the start so you can be preventative.
By being aware of all these signs, you can act as soon as it seems like anything is wrong, and prevent a costly bill from falling on you!
For a repair and restoration company that you can trust, contact us today and we can help you with any water damage or mold issues in your home!
