How to Detect Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to any house. Aside from incurring expensive repairs, it can pose a health risk to your family. Sadly, water damage is a common occurrence. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), household leaks result in a wasting of about 1 trillion gallons of water each year.  

And the most frightening thing about water damage is that homeowners usually notice it only when the problem is far gone. Knowing the signs to look for can help save your home from being destroyed by water. Here are some of the signs you should keep an eye on. 

Be on the Lookout

Observation is the easiest way to detect water damage in your home. If you notice that there is discoloration on your walls or water rings around your ceiling, it’s a pointer to a potential water problem. 

Always check your floors to see if there are any unusual signs. For instance, if your tiles or carpet are cracking, splitting, or warping, there may be a water problem deep within. Sometimes these signs may be at the corners of your house, and you’ll need to go out of your way to find them. Restoration companies Colorado Springs recommend that once a while, you should take a walk around your home and observe any unusual marks. It may be a legitimate cause for concern. 

Smell

A house that is experiencing water damage will begin to smell damp or musty. Whether it’s from your basement, walls, or ceiling, a home will start to smell funny as once any part of it accumulates water for a while. If you enter any room and the odor is unpleasant, check for water damage. Such smells may result from sewage water seeping, fungus or stagnant and contaminated water. 

Check Your Water Bill

If you have water seeping or dripping, your water costs will rise. If you notice any unusual spike in your water costs, chances are, there is water leaking somewhere. Of course, there are other factors such as family size and price hikes that can shoot up your costs. But if the factors are similar to previous months, yet the price rises unusually. It’s time to conduct a thorough check of your home for any water-related damage, and you may need the help of a professional.

Contact a Professional

Professionals are your best bet when dealing with water damage. To the untrained eye, some spots may not mean much, but a professional with several years of experience will know what to do. 

You may be tempted to handle water damages yourself, but you may end up worsening the problem. A professional would know the extent of the problem and what remedies to apply. Check local company listing to find a good restoration company in your area. 

Use a Water Sensor

Water sensors or water leak detectors alert you of any potential water damage before it gets worse. These devices are usually easy to set up and install. You can install them anywhere in your home, but places vulnerable to water damage such as bathrooms, kitchens, by washing machines and basements should be the priority. A more advanced water sensor can turn off the water supply as soon as it detects a leak. This method ensures that water damage does not worsen before you notice it. 

In Conclusion

Water damage is a dangerous situation. It may affect the structural integrity of your home while exposing your family to health risks. If you don’t detect and solve water problems early, it may cost you several thousands of dollars. In this article, we have explored some simple ways to discover water damage problems before it worsens. Use these tips to protect your precious home.