5 Signs of Water Damage in Your Home

Are you concerned that your house may have suffered water damage? Water damage can take place in the blink of an eye. Maybe there is a severe storm in the local area that leads to flooding. Perhaps you are gone for a while, and a pipe may have burst in your home. There might even be a leak in your roof that contributes to water damage. Sagging and discolored ceilings are the most obvious signs of water damage on the ceiling. Soft, swollen, or crumbling drywall is another sign to look for.

If your ceiling has tiles, you may see gradual discoloration on tiles or complete discoloration in some spots. Other signs may include water rings, a musty smell, and mold growth in the ceiling. The only thing that is certain is that you need to address water damage as quickly as possible. That means you need to know what water damage looks like. What are some of the most common signs of water damage in your home, and what do you need to do next?

What Does Water Damage Look Like? 5 Early Signs of Water Damage

Water damage is not always apparent at first. Sometimes, the early signs are minor, and if you don’t catch them early, they can turn into major problems later. Here are a few signs to watch for around your home.

1. A Musty Smell in Your Home

One of the first signs of water damage is poor air quality. If you feel like there is an unusually musty smell in your home, it could be a sign that you have water damage. If you have water damage in your home, there is a good chance that you have mold or mildew somewhere.

This mildew can contribute to a musty odor in your home, and it can be particularly irritating to people who have chronic respiratory conditions, such as COPD. If you detect a musty smell in your home, you should start checking your house for other signs of water damage.

You can find a water leak inside your house by paying attention to dripping sounds. If that’s not possible, look for any discoloration, stains, water rings, or peeling paint on the walls, floors, and ceilings. Besides discoloration, you can also follow the musky smell that is usually found in mold.

2. Your Water Bill Has Gone Up

Not all types of water damage will cause your water bill to go up, but if you have water damage in your home because the pipe has burst somewhere, your water bill has probably gone up significantly. That is because a pipe has burst in your house, causing you to unintentionally consume a significant amount of water.

If you aren’t sure exactly why your water bill has gotten so high, you need to look throughout your house for signs of water damage. This could be the reason why your water bill has gone up so much.

3. There Are Strange Lines Throughout Your House

Water damage looks like discoloration. The first thing that will give you a hint about water damage is the discoloration of drywall, paint, or tiles. The color turns to yellow and brown. In other cases, water damage appears in the shape of sagging, softening, and swollen (bubbling) walls and ceilings.  

One of the most obvious signs of water damage is unusual lines present on your walls throughout your house. If it looks like someone has taken a piece of charcoal and drawn a line around your house, it could be a sign that you once had standing water in your home.

If you were away from your house for a long time, it is possible that water may have started to build on the floor of your house while you were gone. Then, as it gradually receded, it left behind a black line that you can now see in your house. This water damage can be expensive to fix, and you should reach out to an expert who can help you.

4. Your Floors Are Warped

If it looks like your floors are a bit crooked, it could be a sign that they are warped. This is particularly true if you have wooden floors in your house. Wood floors do not mix with water, and you need to reach out to an expert who can help you address the issue.

Even if you have tile or linoleum floors, you may feel like they are bubbling or peeling. Water damage can cause significant harm to your floors, and there is a chance that the floors might have to be replaced. You should reach out to an expert restoration team that can assist you.

5. You Have Mold in Your Home

Finally, if you have mold in your home, this is a sign of water damage. Mold grows well in areas that are warm and wet. If you have a bunch of extra water in your home, the area becomes conducive to the growth of mold.

Mold can also cause significant structural damage to your house, so you need to reach out to an emergency water damage restoration team that can help you deal with the problem. Mold can also be a significant health hazard, so you must invest in mold remediation quickly to protect everyone who lives in the house.

What are the 3 Categories of Water Damage?

Not all water damage is the same. Depending on the source of the water, the damage can fall into one of three main categories. Knowing the difference can help you figure out how serious the problem is and what kind of cleanup you will need.

• Category 1: Clean Water – This type of water always comes from a clean source, like a leaky faucet. It is generally safe to handle if caught early.
• Category 2: Gray water – Gray water comes from sources like washing machines, dishwashers, or bathtubs. It may contain different contaminants that can make you sick if you are exposed to them.
• Category 3: Black Water – Black water is the most dangerous and comes from sources like sewage backups or floodwater. It can contain harmful bacteria and needs professional attention right away.

How Long Does It Take for Water Damage To Show?

Water damage can start to show in as little as 24 hours. Mold can also start growing within 24 to 48 hours if moisture is not removed. With slower leaks, it might take days or weeks to notice a problem. Either way, the longer it goes unnoticed, the worse the damage usually gets. 

How To Find A Water Leak In Your House?

You can find a water leak inside your house by paying attention to dripping sounds. If that’s not possible, look for any discoloration, stains, water rings, or peeling paint on the walls, floors, and ceilings. Besides discoloration, you can also follow the musky smell that is usually found in mold.

How To Find A Water Leak Inside A Wall? 

To find a water leak inside a wall, look out for these signs:

• Discoloration in the wall
• Damp, softening, or swollen wall
• Paint or wallpaper coming out of the wall
• Warp and stains on the wall
• Cracking or bowing drywall
• Water dripping out of the wall or ceiling
• Yellow or brown colored patterns on the wall
• Musty and mold-like smell

How Do I Find A Water Leak Between My House And Meter? 

To find a water leak between your house and the meter, turn off all the faucets and valves in your house. Then, check your water meter. If your water meter is still running, it indicates that you have a water leak. The change in the reading may not be visible immediately, so give it a few hours and check again.

Call OKC Restorations for Help With Water Damage

This is not something that you need to tackle on your own. We are OKC Restorations, and we have a significant amount of experience working with homeowners in the local area. It would be our pleasure to help you clean up water damage in your house as well.

We would be happy to come and take a look at your home before providing you with an estimate. Then, we will work closely with your insurance company and your family to make sure the water damage is handled appropriately.

Contact us today to speak to a member of our team.