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Identifying Water Damage

By Kimberly Duncan / November 16, 2006

It doesn't take much water to damage your home. Mostly seems innocent, the power of water is usually underestimated in its potential to do damage. A trap that is not tight, clogged drain, and even a small crack in a water can, over time, cause extensive damage.

Generally, water leaks and malfunctions leave warning signs, you need to be aware of in order to treat water damage in the most efficient way, prevention. the following is a list of the common water signs that can help you identify water damage and fix it before it becomes a disaster.

Flooring

Wood flooring absorbs water. if you can see buckling of the floor, you may have water inside the wood floor. This is harder to detect when the wood sub-flooring is covered with carpets.

The high-risk areas for floor water damage are in the kitchen around the dishwasher, and the refrigerator (especially if your model has an icemaker) because these appliances combine both a water supply line and a drain line that can leak.

Another high-risk area is the bathroom. Check the floor around the toilet and in front of the tub or shower, where water damage can occur from the day-to-day use of the bathroom such as splashing, unsealed shower curtains, and from people dripping water on the floor.

Water Stains

Other than standing water, water stains are the most obvious indicator for ongoing water damage. If you detect any water stains in the following areas, conduct a thorough investigation to find the source of the problem and make required repairs to avoid expensive restoration costs in the future.

Windows and Doors

Water stains around windows or at the bottom of exterior doors indicate that water is penetrating the structure from the outside.

Ceiling

Water stains at the joint between the ceiling and an exterior wall could be a sign for a possible roof leak or an ice dam problem. Unless you have water lines that run in the attic, water stains anywhere else along the ceiling, indicates a possible roof leak. The location of the stain does not necessarily indicate that the leak is right above it as water may travel in inside the ceiling.

Cabinets

If you can see a water stain on the floor of a cabinet, it's probably a sign of water leaking from the sink trap, or from somewhere else in the sink's drain system.

Structural Indicators

Structural indicators are signs for water damage, occurring in building materials. Identifying these signs and detecting water problems on time will prevent replacing building materials and a possible need for reconstruction.

Drywall

An indicator for water damage in drywall is if it is soft and breaks down. You may also identify water damaged drywall when it is discolored and slightly swollen. These indicators are usually found in the same areas as the water stains and buckled floors.

Recommended Reading:

• Invisible Causes of Water Damage
• A Guide to Fixing Water Damage

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