Warning Signs of Water Damage — How to Fix Damaged Walls and Floors
Water damage can cause a lot of problems in your home. That’s why it’s important to spot the earliest signs of it before it causes further issues, such as mold, from forming. However, the early signs of water damage aren’t easy to spot. Here’s how to see whether the damage in your home is new or old and how to fix it:
Warning Signs of Water Damage
Early signs of water damage can be difficult to spot. However, there are some things you should look out for if you want to stop water damage before it causes more problems. Water erodes the walls, ceilings, and floors in your home, and, if left unattended, it can cause issues that are difficult and expensive to fix. Here’s how you can tell whether you’re dealing with water damage in your home:
- Take a close look at your walls and ceilings.
Water damage inside walls leads to wet, discolored spots. However, the damage is often hidden behind furniture, and it can be hard to spot. If you notice discolored dimples on your ceilings or walls, make sure to inspect your whole house for damage. That way, you’ll be able to prevent further problems such as mold or soggy drywall.
- Inspect your floor for damage.
Signs of water damage under floorboards include warped, stained, cracking, and wet baseboards. If you notice puddles or water stains on baseboards and you haven’t spilled anything recently, they are probably a sign of water damage.
- Notice if there’s a musty smell in your home.
A damp, musty odor can be a telltale sign of water damage. Keep your windows closed while you’re away from home. If you notice a smell when you come back, you should further inspect your walls and floors for water damage.
How to Tell if Water Damage Is New or Old
There are a few useful ways to tell whether water damage on walls, ceilings, and floors is new or old. Firstly, by looking at the affected area, you can see whether the damage has been there for a while. If your walls and ceilings have yellow or brown circles around the area damaged by water, the damage is probably old. Similarly, if your floorboards have started to warp or break, it’s a sign of old water damage.
Secondly, touch the area affected by the damage. If the water damage inside walls is new, the area will be wet, but it will remain firm to the touch. Alternatively, if the damage has been there for a while, the drywall will be mushy, and it will bend to the touch because it has already absorbed a large amount of water.
How to Fix Water Damage in Walls and Floors
Calling a restoration company as soon as possible is essential. They’ll be able to assess the damage and prevent future issues caused by the water. However, before you call a restoration company, there are some things you should do to prevent additional issues.
Firstly, identify where the water damage is coming from. Turn off the water source and see whether the water is clean or dirty. If the water is dirty, you’ll need to clean the affected area thoroughly before you dry it out.
However, if the water is clean, you can dry the area immediately. It’s best to leave a fan next to the damaged area for at least 24 hours. In the meantime, contact a water damage restoration company to help you further assess the damage.
Water Damage House Repair Costs
Depending on the damage, the cost of repairs can range from $1,000 to $4,000. If you notice the issue early on, there will be less damage, resulting in lower reparation costs. However, you should be careful about who you hire. Don’t be so wary of paying more for an experienced restoration company upfront, since it can save you money in the long run. They’ll be able to notice less visible signs of water damage and fix them before they cause more issues.
Conclusion
Learning about how to spot the early signs of water damage and fix them is important. If you notice water damage in your home, Water Damage Kings Miami could help you out. Dry out the walls and floorboards as much as you can. Once repairmen arrive, they’ll be able to assess the damage to your walls, ceilings, and floors and fix it before it causes more problems.