6 Tips to Determine How Long You’ve Had Water Damage

Old water damage must be treated differently than new water damage, but for most people, it can be difficult to determine how long it’s been since the water damage occurred. This is especially true if the homeowner was away when the incident occurred or if the damage was hidden in the walls, ceilings, or floors. 

Fortunately, a thorough inspection can clue a homeowner in on the age of the water damage. While it’s always best to have the inspection done by one of the area’s experienced water restoration companies, homeowners can do a preliminary check. The following are just a few of the signs and indicators that can help to distinguish new water damage from old. 

Consider the House’s History and Materials

The first step to determine how long a house has had water damage is to look at its history. Specifically, homeowners should consider the installation or replacement of different building materials. This is because the way a material reacts to water damage can vary. 

For example, particle board often absorbs water quickly, so the water damage could be fresh. Tile, brick, and other hard are less absorbent, so if these materials are showing signs of damage, then they’ve probably been exposed to water for a considerable amount of time. 

Inspect for Mold Growth

Mold is one of the most common secondary water issues that homeowners deal with. In fact, it can appear within 24 hours of water damage. For that reason, it is a good indicator of how long a home has been exposed to moisture. If the mold inspection yields no results, then the water damage must be recent. 

If the homeowner discovers mold growth where the water damage occurred, that could indicate that it has been a few days since the incident happened. In cases where the growth is severe, the water damage could have occurred weeks or months ago. It’s important that homeowners don’t touch the mold, though. Water restoration companies have the right tools to safely handle the removal.

Look for Stains or Rings

When water damage is fresh, it can leave stains or dark spots on a ceiling. As these water damage spots age, they turn into rings. Similar to counting rings on a tree, counting the rings on a ceiling can indicate how old the water damage is. More rings equal older water damage. Typically, these kinds of rings will occur when water damage is occasional. It indicates that water damage occurred and dried repeatedly. 

Check for Warping

Another indicator of water damage age is the warping and buckling of wooden floors. The longer wood is exposed to water, the more it will start to swell. As it continues to swell, it eventually changes the shape of the boards. Homeowners may notice cupping or raised corners on boards that are warped. If the water damage is new enough, the boards shouldn’t show any signs of water damage. 

Inspect Metal Objects for Rust

Water damage companies also look for signs of rust when they are inspecting homes for water damage. As most people know, metal that is exposed to water degrades over time. Therefore, rust indicates that the water damage is older. In some scenarios, the familiar orange color may not be visible. Instead, homeowners may notice bubbling or blistering under the paint coating the metal. 

Smell for Musty Odors

Old water damage is also associated with mildew smells. The distinct odor may appear gradually, so homeowners might not notice it right away. Therefore, homeowners can typically conclude that water damage is old if they can smell a musty or mildew odor. If there is no noticeable odor, it’s usually safe to say that the water damage is new.

Look for Signs of Decay

Finally, homeowners should inspect the water damage for any signs of decay. If the materials in the house are starting to rot, then homeowners can conclude that the house has been exposed to water for quite some time. It’s important to know that this sign indicates major water damage, as it is most commonly associated with flooding. Homeowners who spot decay should contact one of their local water restoration companies right away because the home could be unsafe.

Contact Superior Cleaning & Restoration for an Inspection of Water Damage

Still not sure how long ago the water damage occurred? That’s okay. Water restoration companies like Superior Cleaning & Restoration can complete a thorough inspection. Homeowners in the Plover area can contact the professionals any time—day or night—to request emergency water damage services. The company also has a convenient online contact form for customers to request a free quote.