Whether you’re buying a home, selling a home or simply living at home, it’s essential that you know how to spot water damage in the home. Water damage can cause enormous personal and financial distress. It can damage your belongings, furniture, fixtures and fittings, while also compromising the structural integrity of the home. Water damage is also linked to the growth of harmful microorganisms.

Never be deceived by how small or insignificant water damage may be. On the face of things, that small leak may very well appear small. Scratching below the surface, though, and you often find a more serious, detrimental problem. In other words, ignore water damage at your peril. Before we learn how to spot water damage in the home, we need to think about the primary causes of water damage.

These sources include:

• Leaking pipes
• Damaged appliances
• Weather
• Overflowing water sources

With these sources in mind, let’s now turn our attention to what you should look for when inspecting a home, or your home, for water damage.

#1 Start with the floors

There are three main symptoms to identify when it comes to floors:

• The presence of bended flooring
• General dampness, however mild it may seem
• An unpleasant damp odor

If any one of these symptoms is present, you should talk to a water damage restoration company to safely identify the source of the leak while also dealing with the effects of the leak as soon as possible. Leaving the leak source untouched is a recipe for disaster.

#2 Turn to the walls

To spot water damage in the home, you also need to inspect the walls.

Again, there are three main factors to consider:

• Warped wall; where the wall subtlety bulges in parts and is notably softer than the surrounding wall.
• Presence of water stains; these stains may be present in corners, such as around windows and doors, so be sure to do a thorough inspection.
• You may also find cracks in the wall, due to the long-term effect of consistent water presence.

To spot water damage in the home requires a meticulous eye. A general glance here or there isn’t good enough and is likely to lead to complacency. Always take the necessary time to properly inspect the walls and flooring and any other potential source of water damage.

#3 Pipes, pipes, pipes

Though it seems quite general, you need to inspect pipes – no matter where those pipes are sourced.

Given the plumbing complexity of homes, this can be quite an arduous and time-consuming challenge. However, the inspection is worth it in the long-term. Pipes from the kitchen, bathroom and basement should all be explored. Any visible signs of water damage as well as any microbial sign or odor sign, should be noted.

#4 Up to the attic

Roof damage is a major cause of water leakage and flooding. This could be due to damage to the roof itself, particularly if the roof is old (such as more than 20-30 years for asphalt roofs; metal-based roofs do, though, last much longer – up to 3-times longer) or if the roof has been damaged in any visibly appreciable way.

There may, though, be underlying structural issues that need to be explored. Thoroughly inspect the attic, going into every corner to identify any potential signs of leakage. As before, always detect odors, too.

By taking these steps, you can effectively spot water damage in the home. If you’re unsure about how to inspect or need to consult a water damage restoration company, 1^st Response Restoration is here to help. We are the leading water damage firm throughout Las Vegas – offering a 24/7 service that helps restore your home back to life.