Water Intrusion

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Water intrusion can have devastating effects on your home’s structural integrity. It can even lead to indoor air quality problems because mold thrives where water is present. But how can you tell if you need professional water damage restoration? At SERVPRO of East Coral Springs, we’ve seen it all, and we can help you identify water damage in your home and clean it up.

6 Common Signs of Water Damage

Here are six common signs of water damage that need to be addressed:

1. Water spots in under-sink cabinets

It’s easy to disregard a bit of water under the bathroom or kitchen sink because you can simply mop it up with a towel and move on. However, this is a warning sign that you have water damage and potential mold growth around the sink area—and if the leak is bad enough, it could warp the floorboards under the sink. Even if there’s no water present, water spots clearly indicate that pipes under the sink have a slow leak.

2. Ceiling and wall stains

Water stains on the upper story ceiling are a clear indication that the roof is leaking. As water enters the attic, it slowly drips down to the ceiling on the upper floor. On its way, the water saturates insulation and renders it useless. It can also cause rafters to rot and warp, compromising structural integrity.

Ceiling and wall stains on lower floors could indicate that an appliance directly above them is leaking. Check behind the washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, and toilets for leaky spigots that could be dripping water and causing damage.

3. Mold growth

Mold needs water to grow, so it’s common to find mold in consistently damp locations—and finding mold is never a good thing, since it means your air quality is suffering. In fact, sensitive individuals may experience unpleasant symptoms such as aggravated allergy symptoms, cold-like issues, and more.

4. Squishy bathroom tiles

Water damage is not always visible. In fact, it’s more common for damage to occur behind the floor, ceiling, and walls where you can’t see it. Since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home, it’s a common place for water damage and mold growth. Press on several bathroom tiles and see if they give under the pressure. If so, the wall behind the tile is most likely rotting and mold is almost certainly present.

5. Soft ceiling

A leaky appliance spigot can cause more than just ceiling and wall stains. If the ceiling is low enough, reach up and push on it with your fingers. A soft ceiling may have been experiencing water damage from a slow leak for many weeks or months. Fixing the leak isn’t enough, unfortunately—the drywall will also need to be replaced to ensure structural integrity and indoor air quality.

6. Standing water

Many things can cause water to pool in unlikely places, including a broken pipe or flooding. If you find standing water, it’s important to seek water damage remediation as quickly as possible. Ignoring the problem could lead to greater damage to your home’s structural integrity and air quality.

Get Water Damage Restoration Today 

SERVPRO uses advanced tools to detect water damage beyond these obvious signs. Hygrometers, moisture detectors, infrared cameras, and other equipment make it easy to identify hidden water leading up to the water removal process. If you suspect you have water damage, Call SERVPRO of East Coral Springs 954-725-6400.