Most homeowners don’t give water damage a second thought until it starts to wreak havoc on their home’s structure. Water may be necessary to human life, but it’s astonishing how much damage it can do to a home when uncontrolled. Just imagine what destruction water from a flood, cracked pipe, or even slow leaks can cause.
As it invades and seeps into the structural elements of your home, water creates costly damage, both right after it occurs and in the long term. In such cases, you must call a water damage restoration service or visit a website like www.waterdamagespecialist.com.au/melbourne/ to know more about them and the services they can offer you.
But how will you know it’s time to call a water damage specialist? Watch out for these tell-tale signs.
1. There’s A Water Puddle Or Flooding
These are the most obvious signs you need to call a water damage specialist immediately. Water puddles don’t occur unless you spill a cup of water into the area. Meanwhile, more severe flooding caused by a disaster, broken plumbing pipes, or water backups can cause severe issues to your home’s structure, appliances, furniture, and other personal belongings.
Whether it’s a puddle or severe flooding, the best water damage restoration company can keep the situation under control, resolving the issue and restoring your home to normal.
2. Mold Growth
When mold starts to grow, it’s a sign that your home harbors more moisture than usual. If your home has excess moisture, you’ll see visible mildew and mold growth on surfaces. However, even if you don’t see the green or black patches, a musty, stale odor is another tell-tale sign.
Mold can compromise the structural integrity of your home. It also makes surfaces less appealing. More than that, mold can cause or worsen health issues, including allergies and asthma.
Generally, detecting mold growth by sight or smell will simultaneously point to existing water damage. So, whether you see mold in a particular spot or smell a strong odor in a specific area, it’s best to call a water damage specialist to assess the area and determine the extent of water damage.
3. Stains And Discolorations On Surfaces
When dark stains appear on walls or ceilings, it doesn’t mean that these surfaces need re-painting. Generally, these spots indicate moisture behind the surface causing unseen damage. If discoloration occurs on surfaces close to any plumbing pipes, it’s most likely water damage and you need to call the experts immediately.
When water or even a tiny amount of moisture seeps into walls and ceilings, it often leaves stain lines or discolored rings due to mineral deposits. These streaks are even more pronounced in lighter paints. However, even if the surface has darker paints, you’ll still see noticeable orange, yellow, or green discoloration.
Re-painting the area is a short-term solution. Unless you hire a water damage restoration service to fix the water damage, the ugly stains will keep coming back while causing further damage to nearby structures.
4. Bubbles Or Peeling Paint
Aside from stains, prolonged exposure to moisture on surfaces can cause bulging or peeling paints. Generally, the surface becomes soft, and you’ll notice bubbles, some even large swells. This can be dangerous since a soft structure makes the area less sturdy. It reduces structural integrity and may cause that part to collapse.
As such, you must call a water damage specialist to repair the issue correctly. Depending on the extent of the damage, a specialist may need to replace the materials to ensure your home’s overall structural integrity.
5. You Feel A Nip In The Air
If your home feels cooler during summer despite the higher temperatures outside or your HVAC system fails to heat it during winter, it could be a sign of a hidden water leak and moisture within your walls. Generally, excess moisture in your home’s surface can pull heat from the air, making your home feel cooler than usual.
However, if your HVAC system is in excellent condition but can’t heat your home correctly during winter or does little work in cooling it during summer, it’s worth examining the walls for leaks or moisture buildups. While this may seem convenient during the summer, ignoring the issue can cause the degradation of your structures over time. Plus, excess moisture can cause uncomfortable indoor temperatures during winter.
Takeaway
Water damage may occur unknowingly or suddenly. Regardless of your situation, you can prevent further damage by calling in the experts. Thus, when you start seeing the above signs, it’s best to contact a water damage specialist to assess and fix any water-related problems in your home.
