Residential and commercial properties frequently suffer damage from water damage. It can result from internal problems like pipe bursts and sewage backups as well as external problems like rainstorms and flooding. Knowing the amount of the damage and the urgency of the restoration are essential for determining whether water damage is new or old. Knowing the duration of the problem can give clues about the severity of the issue, and repairs may be easier for shorter-term problems. Identifying the cause of water damage is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of your property.
Causes of Water Damage
It’s important to keep in mind the following possible causes of water damage:
Clogged Drainage
The weight of the water that drainage systems are supposed to hold cannot be supported when they are clogged. The overflow may harm the ceiling, the walls, and the flooring when it leaks onto the roof.
Damaged Appliances
Water damage can happen to broken appliances like refrigerators and freezers. These appliances’ water lines could leak or crack, causing damage to the walls and floors.
Damaged Roof
A storm or other natural calamity may damage the roof, letting water enter the house. Water can seep into the attic and damage the ceilings, walls, and flooring if your roof has cracked or missing shingles or tiles, or if the flashing around the chimney has to be fixed.
Human Mistakes
A water damage disaster could result from failing to turn off a faucet or leaving the bathroom while filling a tub. You can reduce the risk of encountering water damage by being aware of possible causes and carrying out precautionary actions.
HVAC System
When heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, such as air conditioners and heaters, aren’t working properly, a unit’s condensation line might become blocked and leak water into the structure itself. An attic or basement heater that leaks or breaks can be particularly dangerous because the interior of the building is directly affected by water damage.
Natural Calamities
Flooding can result from heavy rainfall, and storm surges from hurricanes can damage property. Floodwaters also contain hazardous substances and toxins that are unsafe for human health.
Plumbing Problems
Serious water damage is caused by leaking pipes and untreated plumbing issues, which puts at risk structure integrity and stimulate the growth of mold in houses.
Tips to Tell if Water Damage Is New or Old
Finding water damage is frequently challenging, especially if it is older and has had time to dry. Finding out how old the water damage appears to be one of the most important aspects of handling it. The following are some tips on how to tell if water damage is new or old:
Building Materials and History of the House
Water damage will have diverse effects on various sorts of materials. For instance, thicker paint and tiles effectively capture moisture than thinner ones. If your house has tile, brick, or similar hard material and they are exhibiting signs of water damage, for example, it’s likely that the damage is new.
Decay and Watermarks
New water damage will probably have a recognizable, wet watermark. There might be a watermark on older water damage, but it’s probably dry and faded. When your property shows signs of deterioration, it has likely been exposed to water for a long time. Typically, deterioration only occurs in extreme situations like floods.
Mold
Mold growth starts when the mold spores come into contact with moisture and an organic food source. Water damage is probably old if it develops in a water-damaged area. But if you notice water damage but not mold, it means the mold is new and building up.
Musty Odors
If there is a musty odor in a water-damaged area, the damage is probably older. However, it might indicate that the damage is new if there isn’t a bad odor.
Rusty Metals
Any indication of rust on metals in a water-damaged area indicates that the water damage is probably older. New water damage might not have had enough time to produce rust.
Softness
The material will be damp from new water damage, but it won’t be soft. Due to the length of time, the material has to absorb the moisture, old water damage will result in a soft, mushy patch.
For instance, damp but stable drywall will show signs of new water damage. Older water damage on drywall, however, will have a softer texture since enough time has passed for the moisture to destroy the drywall.
Warping Materials
Materials may warp, bulge, or buckle as a result of water damage. The water damage is probably old if your timber floors, walls, or ceiling have started to seem deformed. If everything seems to be in fine shape, the water damage may be new because it may not have had enough time to create warping.
Water Rings and Stains
New water damage will show as a dark spot or stain on the ceiling or walls, however, older water damage will show as rings on the wall or ceiling. The age of the water damage increases with the number of rings. The hue of the circles could show whether the water is wet, dry, or has been there for a while. When a water leak is random, like a location beneath a roof leak that only gets wet when it rains, rings are more likely to form.
Examine for Watermarks and Decay
Fresh water damage will probably have a recognizable, wet watermark. There may be a watermark on older water damage, but it is likely to be dry and faded. When your property shows signs of deterioration, it has likely been exposed to water for a long time. Most of the time, catastrophic circumstances like flooding are the only ones that cause decay. When you notice decay, do not delay taking action.
Summary
You should take immediate action if you find water damage on your property, whether it is older or newer. You should not neglect any signs even though it is new as this might lead to structural damage. If the water-damaged area is severe, you must contact professionals, they are skilled and knowledgeable to address the damage and restore the property.
