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How Can Water Damage Your Home Apart from Flooding?

Floods are not the only cause of water damage. Just because there isn’t a river running through your living room or water 4 feet high doesn’t mean that there is no water damage in your home. Water can infiltrate your home in several different ways. It can come from external elements, like storms, or internally, like a leaky plumbing pipe. When water finds its way into unwanted cracks and crevices of your home, it is important to be aware of the signs of hidden water damage. Letting water damage go unsolved can lead to further, expensive problems. Here are some signs that you have water damage that is unrelated to flooding.

water damage water drop image
Photo by Levi Xu on Unsplash

Odors

Do you have a foul odor in your house, but don’t know where the source is? Stagnate water eventually puts off an extremely noticeable foul odor. The longer this stagnate water is left unresolved, the more problems it will produce. Besides putting off an awful smell, it also can create and spread mold in these hidden areas. Don’t let the source of foul odors go unknown. If your home begins to give off a musty, earthy smell, the source could be from unresolved water damage.

Mold Growth

Mold is not only unruly but also dangerous for you and your family’s health. Its spores are microscopic and can find their way into every little crack in the structure of your home, much like water. This means that the two often come in contact with each other. While mold spores on their own don’t cause any major problems, they do pose risks. When water moistens these mold spores, they begin to grow and spread. This not only causes damage to the walls and flooring that the mold grows on but also causes health issues. If you begin to notice fuzzy discolorations or little patches of mold, there could be some further underlying water damage that needs to be dealt with.

Structure Problems

The structural elements of your home such as the walls, ceilings, and floors often give away early warning signals of water damage. This is because the structure of your home is the most susceptible to damage. Pipes run along walls and floors which makes them one of the first things to be damaged when leaks occur. Water that seeps into walls and spaces between levels will often show as stains or blotches. If these stains are left unnoticed, they can eventually make your walls and ceilings sag. Saturated drywall and ceiling materials become very heavy. This causes them to begin to deform and eventually buckle under the weight. Checking your walls and ceilings for signs of water damage can prevent collapses.

Increased Water Bill

An increased water bill is a common early sign of water damage. If you notice that your water bill has made a dramatic increase, it could be a sign that you have a water leakage somewhere. While utilities vary slightly from season to season, your bills shouldn’t double or triple. Depending on where the leak is located, it may take a long time for it to show. If you notice a suspicious increase in your water bills, don’t let it go unsolved. The problem behind your increased water bill could cost you even more money in water damage if left unresolved.

Peeling Paint

Walls that are located close to plumbing pipes are more likely to present signs early on. When pipes that run inside the wall cavity leak, one of the early indicators is peeling or bubbling paint. If you start to notice your paint becoming warped, it might be time to have a water damage company come out. It’s possible that moisture has built up behind your walls which could cause some further issues.

Damage losses aren’t always immediately evident. Many water losses occur over a long period before the homeowner even knows what is happening. By then, the signs of water damage are very clear, and the problems are severe. Instead of letting damage get to this point, there are ways to identify water damage. Some signs of water damage include foul odors, mold growth, faulty structure, increased water bill, and peeling or bubbling paint. Knowing the early signs of water damage can help prevent more severe problems. When it comes to water damage restoration, Green Genie Environmental is the best. Not only do we offer environmentally-friendly restoration services, but we also make sure that your home is restored to new. Don’t let water damage go unresolved. We offer emergency restoration services to make sure that your home suffers the least amount of water damage possible. Next time your home suffers water damage, contact us at 716-289-2903 or visit our site.

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