The Right And The Wrong Place For Water
The world we live in is primarily water. This is what makes the Earth unique. Water sustains life, if there were no liquid water, there would be no life on this planet. Water is almost everywhere, but there are places where you don’t want to see water, like on your walls, underneath your appliances or on your basement floor. When you do see water in these places, you most likely have some form of water damage and you must immediately remedy the problem or else it gets worse very quickly. Before you can repair anything, it is important to determine where any leaks and damage is coming from. Water is deceitfully powerful and a tiny leak can slowly cause damage that will affect your entire house. Something must be done about it quickly. Find the leak and stop it.
It Can Start From Almost Anywhere
Water damage can start with a clogged drain, crack in the pipes, loose trap, rusty pipes, or a worn out home appliance. The good news is that a leaking water pipe or dripping trap leaves marks for you to see. Below are signs of water damage that you should be aware of.
Water Stains
A first telltale sign is water stains. Water from a leak is certainly not clean because it contains residues – dirt, soil, rust, and so on. As it dries, the residues dry as well, leaving a brown nasty tarnish. If you see stains around your window frames or at the bottom of your door, it could mean water is coming from outside. If left unchecked, it will ruin your door and windows, leaving you no choice but to have them replaced completely. If you have pipes running in your attic water stains on the ceiling or just between the ceiling joints could indicate a leaky roof or damaged water line leak. The water could have spread or traveled, which means the leak or damage may not be directly above the stained areas. There might also be water stains under a cabinet or sink. This clearly points to a dripping drain or sink trap. It is almost always wet in these parts of the house and some people tend to allow them to stay that way. This is an unhygienic and unhealthy practice. Wet or damp areas inside your home promote the growth of molds and bacteria.
The Floor Can Give Warning
Another common sign is buckling of the floor. Wooden floors would not buckle unless there is water inside or underneath. This is easy to detect. However, if your floor has carpet or sub-floor covering, the water damage could go on undetected for months. This is why it is necessary to make routine checks, especially in the kitchen beneath the pipes or near the dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator.
The Walls
Also, check your walls. Water damage could soften or discolor them, and even cause them to swell. Worse is that the paint could peel, making your wall look very unsightly. It would help running your hand along the walls to see if a spot is damp or soggy. If you smell a musty odor and begin to sneeze more often, chances are there are molds in the house. Molds grow from damp areas, which can be caused by a leak or water damage.