Hidden Signs of Water Damage

Even the best maintained home can suffer from water damage. Usually, you see water spray from the faucet, hear a drip under the sink or feel water under foot. Sometimes even more damage is caused by hidden leaks and problems. Over time, even a small drip can become a big problem. Call Clean Masters 911 in North Charleston for help diagnosing and resolving your issue before more damage results:

Water Accumulation

The most obvious sign that you’ve got water damage is an area of standing or pooling water. These can result from old or malfunctioning appliances including washers, water heaters and toilets. A puddle could also occur from a leaking roof, or from drainage pipes if the water is on the outside of your home. Here are some less obvious signs:

Unpleasant Odors

Hidden residual water stagnates and fosters mold and bacterial growth. This produces a musty, earthy smell that’s a red flag indicating unseen water damage. The source can be difficult to locate; the smell may come from basements, walls, or any areas where water has been accumulating for a while.

Visual Signs of Mold

Airborne mold spores find their way into hidden nooks and crannies in the structure of the home. So does water. When moisture contacts dormant spores, active mold growth begins. The color can range from white, to orange, to gray or to black. If you notice fuzzy discolorations or sprinkles of black pepper in out-of-the-way spaces, have them evaluated by a remediation professional.

Ceiling Stains

Water that seeps into wall voids and the space between levels often manifests as a stain or blotch as it slowly saturates the ceiling on the floor below. With ceiling water damage, look for uneven areas of paint or texture; the area may appear wet or dry and can be a yellow, brown or copper color.

Paint Problems

Saturated drywall becomes very heavy with the added water weight; look for areas of paint that are blistered, deformed or buckled. Saturate drywall causes paint to lose adhesion; mildew might cause stains.

Floor effects

Water always seeks the lowest level and seeps under floor coverings like carpet, tile, and vinyl, soaking into the subfloor. Look for:

• Warping – gaps between floorboards or curling at the edges.
• Buckling – when one side of the wood becomes detached from the substrate and “tents,” or faces upward.
• Sagging/Sinking – when hardwood, or the subfloor, is weakened by rot.
• Expansion – wood and laminate floor material swells and then separates.
• Professional Drying Services in South Carolina

When researching companies to help with water damage to your home or business, only consider a team with the infrared thermal imaging tools and expertise to locate all hidden sources. One of the most important aspects of water damage restoration is finding the moisture that can’t be seen by the naked eye.

Clean Masters has sophisticated equipment that is used to locate and track moisture that may be difficult to locate. By combining this equipment with our expertly trained technicians, Clean Masters has developed a detailed and comprehensive process that successfully eliminates all moisture from a structure and its contents.

For any water damage help in Charleston surrounding cities, contact Clean Masters.