Regular maintenance is key for living comfortability in your home. A tidy yard and checkups on home appliances are a good start, but it’s also important to monitor your home periodically for water damage.
A variety of issues can cause water damage, especially in older homes, and can show up at any time. If water damage is ignored or goes undetected, it can lead to costly repair bills or, in the worst-case scenario, become a hazard to your health.
Most water damage can be seen or heard, such as carpet stains or dripping sounds, but it’s not always easy to spot. Here are a few tips to help you spot water damage.
Water stains
Discoloration or stains on your walls, floors or ceiling is a sign you might have an issue. If you walk barefoot on carpeting and you feel dampness, you likely have water entering your home.
Vinyl flooring usually buckles with water exposure and hardwood floors start to warp. Walls might also start bubbling, cracking or flaking.
Mold
If you notice black or white spots on the surfaces within your home, you might have mold. Mold grows indoors when mold spores land on wet surfaces.
Periodically check inside closets that are adjacent to bathroom walls, as water can seep into them and cause mold.
Because mold has the potential to cause health problems, it’s important to immediately contact a mold remediation specialist and fix the underlying water issue.
Noisy pipes or leaks
You might not always see water damage, but sometimes, you can hear it.
It might not be easy to hear a leak in your home because of the level or activity happening inside or outside of your home. The best time to listen for leaks is later in the evening, when there might be less street and neighborhood noise and when members of the household are sleeping.
Musty odors
A water problem in your home can also show up as a damp or musty odor. This type of distinctive scent is usually difficult to miss. The odor is a telling sign that you’re having trouble with a pipe or a leaking home appliance hose.
Foundation problems
Foundation issues could be the result of poor drainage around your home. If you notice cracking or separation from your home exterior walls, it could be from a buildup of moisture.
A majority of foundations are made up of concrete. Although concrete is durable, it’s also porous, and water can fill those pores. This type of damage often happens gradually and, unfortunately, is sometimes hard to notice at first. A lesser-known sign of damage is when doors or window frames become misaligned.
If you have any water problems with your home, do not delay repair or remediation. Contact the Home Builders of Great Chattanooga at www.HBAGC.net, to find a qualified professional to help your home get back in shape.