Signs of Water Damage

When it comes to protecting your property from mold infestation, the first thing you should be on the look out for is signs of water damage. Signs of water damage include: bubbling in drywall or ceilings, staining, warping or buckling in floors and more.

The tiles in your bathroom and your kitchen can cause water damage that would cost you thousands of dollars to repair. This is the reason why you should pay attention to the grout that keeps your tiles together. The grout is responsible for keeping the moisture out. If water starts to seep through under your tiles, you would definitely end up with an uneven floor and the tiles would start loosening.

One way to maintain the good condition of the grout in between your tiles is by regularly cleaning the grout in your bathroom and kitchen tiles which would also allow you to check for small nicks that would need reapplication. It is also recommended to have your grout treated once a month to prevent any water damage.

Broken pipes are another thing to look out for as these usually damage your homes in a bigger way. Studies show that 1 out of 3 Americans point to broken pipes as the primary cause of water damages in their homes. There has even been a situation reported wherein a broken pipe in one of the units in a building affected all the other units and caused numerous incidents of water damage. Should the owner of the unit paid close attention to the maintenance of his unit's pipes, this huge hassle could have been avoided.

More than that, broken pipes would generate more expenses for you. Small leaks or the leaks you consider to be minor problems, when left even for just a day would waste a good amount of water due to drips. This would also reflect on your water bill. To add to that, you would still need to worry about the repairs needed for the area which the water leakage damaged. The longer you put this on hold, the more water seeps through and the bigger the damage.

If you want to avoid water damaging your home, you should pay attention to even the smallest things like the grout between the tiles and your pipes. There are many areas in your home and many things that would cause water damage. If your home is already being damaged by water, make sure to call in the experts of water damage to prevent further damage and restore your home.

Once water invades a home, damage would start happening instantly. This is why a water mitigation company should be called in right away. In general, homeowners are not equipped to take care of water damage and flooding scenarios, especially if the flooding is due to sewer backup. Flood waters and sewer back up are contaminated and toxic. It is important that you hire a professional restoration company that can not only properly dry out your property but also disinfect and sanitize it thoroughly. Homes that are not properly treated will often grow mold and can make people sick.

When observing for signs of water damage of a potential property to buy, begin with the exterior. Start with the roof. Are there any missing or damaged shingles? Bent or damaged gutters? Is the roof collapsed in any area? Is the chimney damaged or cracked? Are any areas of the roof or directly under the roof stained or damaged? Ask your realtor for their opinion. Find out how old the roof is as well and when it might need to be replaced.

Next, check all exterior walls and windows. Do you notice any collapsed walls? Are there any cracks or stepping in the walls (this could also be a sign of a sinkhole)? Are the exterior walls wet even though they should be dry? Are any windows broken or cracked? Can you notice any sign of water intrusion through any windows or window wells?

Finally, look at the lawn and backyard. Are there any puddles or flooded areas? How does the ground slope" towards or away from the house? Does any of the landscaping look damaged or drowned? Again, talk to your realtor through the process and ask questions.

Regarding the interior of the home, document anything you find suspicious and make sure you check everything. Observe the walls, ceilings and floors. Are any of the surfaces wet? Can you spot any cracks? Do you see any stains? A water stain on the ceiling may point to a roof leak, however if you have water pipes in the attic these may be the issue. Look at the walls. Do you see any signs of flaking, swelling or any discoloration or yellowing? Are any of the walls soft to the touch? Is the ceiling ballooning anywhere? Can you see any visible signs of mold?

While inspecting rooms, check for warped or damaged wood. For example, check hardwood floors, baseboards and cupboards. If you see any warping or bucking in the hardwood floors, it is most likely a sign of water damage. Look closely for molds on wood. If there is carpet, check for stains or areas of wetness.

Check inside cupboards for water stains. Water stains in the bottom of your cabinets can be a product of a leak in your sink pipes. In the kitchen, check to see if there is an exhaust fan: does it work? Also, check the bathrooms: do they have fans and do they work? In both kitchens and bathrooms, test fixtures to see if they are firm or loose. Check the sink and the shower. Is the sink or counter top stained? Look at the pipes under the sink. Do you see any signs of rust? Listen to the toilet. Do you hear water dripping? Look around the perimeter of the toilet as well. Do you see any staining on the floor or any rust in the pipes? Look for leaky or slumping ground around toilet tank. Inspect the bath area. Is the bathtub damaged in any way? Look for mold buildup along the bathtub or shower stall perimeter. How bad is the mold in the tiles?

Check all the windows and doors: are any cracked or broken? Do you see any evidence of water intrusion surrounding the perimeter of any windows or doors? Also check electrical outlets and phone jacks: are they sunken? Is the wall around them soft to the touch?

If possible, look in the attic. First off, do you see any obvious signs of black mold? Is the insulation wet? Does the attic smell musty? Do you see any cracks in the ceiling, walls or floors? Check the condition of the vents and ducts: are they wet or damaged? If there is a basement, look there as well. Basements are notorious for water damage. First off, how does the air smell? If it is musty, that could be an indication of excess humidity or mold damage. Is the foundation wet or cracked? Also check for signs of wetness or cracking in the walls, ceiling and floors. Check the duct work: is it stained or damaged? Check the washing machine: is it properly connected? Are the pipes in good shape? If there is a laundry room sink, look for any signs of water damage by checking the faucet and underneath the sink. Something to look for as well is where the water is draining in case of a flood. Is there a sump pump? Are there drains in the basement floor?

Knowing what to look for in regards to signs of water damage when viewing a potential home or property can seriously save you future headaches.