Water Damage Signs Can Indicate Age of Damage
- If you can safely reach the area, try touching the water damage. You can determine a lot using this method; if the water’s still wet, and the surrounding walls and ceiling are firm, the water damage is new. However, if what you touch is squishy, as well as the surrounding walls, it is likely the water damage is old.
- Take into consideration the history of the home or business. Try to recall when any past damage occurred, if any, as well as its severity. Additionally, be aware of your location; consider how many storms the property normally experiences, and what the severe weather is like in your region. Ultimately, be aware of the layout and potential “hot spots” for water damage, as this factors into determining whether what you have discovered is new or old water damage.
- Look for decay in and around the area of damage, as that may indicate the damage has been there for an extended period.
- Keep an eye out for mold, as it can take several days to appear after water damage.
- Look for rings in the affected walls or surfaces. Just as the number of rings indicates a tree’s age, rings around water damage can help you determine whether the damage is new or old. A dark spot with no rings around it tends to mean the damage is new. However, if you see numerous rings of different shades, that can mean the area has gone back and forth between being soaked ,and dried and old.
- Lastly, examine the affected materials in general. Thicker paint and/or tiles can trap water, leading to leaks. Something as small as a minor water blotch can indicate there is water that’s been building up behind the materials for a long time, but, of course, more obvious signs, like ceiling bubbles from water, can point to increasing damage as well.
If you’re not sure it’s water damage to begin with please visit: What Are The Signs of Water Damage In Walls? Keep in mind, that just because water damage is old (or may appear old) doesn’t mean you should wait. If left unattended, water damage can get worse over time; how quickly that happens varies, depending on how much water is present, in what areas, and the age of the home or business. Make sure you know whatever is remaining is superficial by either getting an inspection or confirming with your property owner.
Remember, it's important to act quickly, even if you’re not sure you’re dealing with water damage. Here are different ways water damage can get worse:
- Water damage can spread the longer it sits unattended. Even an initially small bit of damage can grow worse and larger, becoming much more severe. Even if you don’t notice it at first, pipes can leak, causing severe destruction in a matter of days; what can become especially dangerous is when the water damage is hidden behind a wall or other obstruction.
- Flooding can occur, especially from aging appliances like washing machines and dishwashers.
- Foundations or electrical wiring can become compromised.