How to Tell if Water Damage is New or Old
Have you been wondering whether the water damage is old or new? Many homeowners hate the words ‘water damage’ and this makes them act fast. Before sounding the alarm, you should try figuring out whether the water damage is old or new.
One of the things homeowners fear the most is looking at their ceiling and seeing water spots. You immediately start thinking the worse and your mind goes into action mode. The good thing is if you just noticed the damage for the first time, there is a good chance it is still fresh. A leak can start in the attic or the walls and this leads to water damage to the ceiling. Another possible cause is a lot of moisture developed in your home, which creates water rings on the ceiling. This can cause mold and mildew in the future if not taken care of.
Old water damage has dry water rings and when you touch the surface, it feels squishy.
New water damage has a dark water spot and when you touch the surface, it feels firm.
Mold appears to have black or gray specs.
The article is going to look at the signs of age on the spots. Some of the factors we have to look at include the history of your home and the different physical (tactile and visual) aspects of the water damage spots. There are many ways water damage can appear, making it important to do a thorough inspection.
House History
If you start to notice the signs of water damage on the ceilings, walls, baseboards, etc., or even before seeing the signs, you should know the history of your home. Unless you live in a brand new home, there is a good chance the water systems, different pipes, and other components in your home have different ages. The older the thing, the more likely it is to break. Look at the older areas of your home or under the older areas and pay extra attention. When you know some challenging areas in the home, it becomes easier to catch a leak before it causes serious damage to your drywall. If you notice a sign suddenly appearing in an area, know that the build-up begin a long time ago.
Visual Cues
There are pros who know how to estimate the age of water damage the same way others can figure out the age of a tree; by looking at the rings. New spots tend to have just a dark spot, but the older ones will have a couple of rings. The more rings a spot has, the older it is. If you check out the damaged drywall spot and there are many rings, it means that the problem has been developing for some time.
If there is mold, it is a sign that water has been there for a few days because it takes a couple of days for the mold to grow. Mold appears as gray or black specs on the drywall ceiling, floors, or walls. If there is mold spreading beyond the areas of water damage, it can be a sign of water damage that has been there for some time.
If you notice decay, then there is a high chance that the house has been exposed to standing water for a long time. Decay usually happens in extreme conditions like flooding. If your home has started to show signs of decay, you should take action in the shortest time possible.
New water damage will not have had enough time to weaken materials like the drywall. This means the material is going to be wet while feeling hard. Older damage spots will feel squishy and you can easily move them without applying much force or pressure.
What is the Best Way of Telling?
There are a couple is steps you need to take to have a good understanding of how old water damage in your home is. One thing you need to know is there isn’t a method that tells you the exact months or days your home has been exposed to water damage. You can just have a good idea of whether the water damage has been there for some time or is recent. What do you need to look for?
Knowing your home
You should know the age of your home. HVAC units and pipes get old and can allow condensation to build up on the walls or attic. The water spots can take some time before they appear, they don’t appear immediately. If you know how old some structures in your house are, it becomes easier to diagnose water damage and determine whether it is new or old.
Touching the spot
Make sure you have protective eyewear, gloves, and a mask to cover your mouth. Touch the spots where you notice water damage. If the water damage is new, the spot is going to feel firm. If the spot has a mushy or squishy feel, then it is most likely older water damage.
The Presence of Water Rings
Dark spots on your walls or ceiling show newer water damage while rings on the walls or ceiling can be a sign of older water damage. The more the rings, the older the water damage is. When there is a change in colors, it shows that the spot has gotten wed, dried, got wet, and then dried again over time.
Checking the Structures
It is important to know your house’s drywall structures. Walls with a thick layer of paint can trap water and moisture over time. This is a sign that the water damage has been there for some time. Keep in mind that it is possible for small water damage to exist for a long time.
Mold Presence
If you notice any mold on the spot of water damage, it could mean that the damage is at least two or three days old. If you see mold, you don’t have to touch it. It is a good idea to call a mold inspection professional so they can see the extent. Mold growth usually happens within 48 hours of water damage.
Decay
The breakdown and decay of the wall, ceiling, or ceiling tiles or other materials that make up the walls, ceiling, or floors are a sign of water damage that has occurred a couple of times. Materials don’t deteriorate overnight. It takes time before the water breaks down the material. This is going to tell you if the damage is recent or if it has been happening for some time.
When Should I Call a Professional?
It is a good idea to call a professional to help you with water spots on your ceiling or walls. You shouldn’t be the one dealing with water damage issues on your own because it needs someone experienced to deal with it. There are a lot of health hazards you risk exposing yourself to when you want to deal with the issues by yourself.
Before you call a water damage pro to help you with the damage, contact your local home inspection team. They can do an inspection and let you know whether your home needs more repairs. They have also worked with professional contractors and can recommend the most reputable to help you deal with the damage.
Conclusion
Water damage is a serious issue for most homeowners and they hate when they have to deal with it. No matter how new or older the water damage is, the fact that you have water in your home is a bad thing. Reach out to a local home inspection team to help you know where the water might have come from and the areas it came from. This makes it easier to seal the area and deal with any water damage fast. A professional is going to repair the damage and help you prevent future problems. Call a professional and let them handle the problem.
Contact Golden State Drywall Repair Service, Oakland, CA for expert drywall repair service at (510) 250-5447. Call today and get your free estimation!
