Understanding Hidden Water Damage and Its Risks
So, you’ve found a water spot on your wall or ceiling. What does this mean for you and your property? A water spot likely means that you have hidden water damage, and it’s just now making its way out into the open.
Hidden water damage can spell disaster if it isn’t promptly addressed. In the following blog, we’ll discuss the causes and signs of water spots, along with how you can prevent them in the future. At PureDry, our goal is not only to provide trusted water damage restoration in the Seattle area, but it is also to educate home and business owners about water damage.
When you’re prepared for water damage, you can save thousands of dollars and avoid disruptions to your daily life. Our water damage repair experts have all the answers below.
Prevent Costly Repairs with Early Water Leak Detection
Your home or business has more water systems than you might realize. Leaks can come from above, below, and all around, appearing as puddles or water spots. This is why regular plumbing inspections are so important—a water damage mitigation expert can detect leaks early, saving you from huge repair costs and daily headaches.
Most of your pipes are hidden within walls and ceilings, making water leaks difficult to detect. Most leaks aren’t discovered until a water spot shows up—by this point, a large amount of damage may have been done. But don’t worry, this damage can be fixed by a water damage restoration company.
At PureDry, we use a highly scientific approach to restore your property to its original condition. Our advanced detection equipment, drying machines, and air scrubbers ensure your home or business is back in great shape.
Common Causes of Water Damage
Water damage can come from indoors and outdoors, occurring because of the following:
- Frozen and burst pipes
- Storm damage and heavy rain
- Leaky pipes
- Appliance leaks
- Overflowing sinks, bathtubs, and toilets
- Faulty water heaters and sewer lines
How Long Does It Take for a Leak to Cause Water Damage?
Since water leaks occur at varying speeds and in varying locations, they cause damage at, well, varying rates. You likely won’t know how quickly a leak spreads damage until it has been discovered. Major leaks will reveal themselves quickly, causing huge damage in a short time frame. Minor leaks act much more slowly but can be just as dangerous, causing hidden damage over weeks or months.
Hidden water damage reveals itself through more than just water spots. Let’s look at some common signs to help you catch leaks early on.
Common Signs of Hidden Water Damage
You can find hidden water damage before it’s too late by regularly inspecting your walls and ceilings. Keep an eye out for the following problems in your home or business.
Mold Growth
Mold follows water damage everywhere, usually appearing 24 to 48 hours after a surface becomes wet. If you notice fuzzy black, brown, green, or red patches on your walls or ceilings, contact a water damage restoration company as soon as you can.
Foul Smells
Mold eats away at structural materials, and it causes quite a stink in the process. If you notice musty, damp, rotting smells, you likely have water damage and mold growth within your walls or ceilings.
Peeling and Blistering Paint, or Wallpaper
When water damage enters your home or business, your wallpaper and paint are among the first to suffer. After becoming wet, they are forced to separate from drywall and sheetrock. The result isn’t pretty, and you’ll notice that something is off rather quickly.
Soggy Drywall
Drywall is porous, so it rapidly absorbs moisture. This is bad news for your building’s safety—wet drywall can lose shape and sag if it is not dried or replaced.
Higher Than Average Utility Bills
If your water bills have become more expensive, and you have no explanation, a leak may be somewhere on your property. If you cannot find the leak, consider contacting a professional plumber to inspect your water systems.
Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure throughout your home or business is not only inconvenient, but it is also a warning sign for leaks. If the problem persists for more than a few hours, consider contacting a professional plumber.
Stains and Discoloration
The term “water spot” can cover a lot of ground. If you notice stains or discoloration on your walls and ceilings, contact a water damage cleanup service to inspect the area and remediate any damage.
5 Simple Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Damage
You deal with enough stress on a day-to-day basis, so why add water damage to the mix? Our water damage cleanup experts recommend taking the following steps to avoid water damage spots.
- Regularly Inspect Your Plumbing System. When we say “plumbing system,” we mean more than your toilets, sinks, and showerheads. Your plumbing system involves multiple parts, so be sure to check for leaks from your appliances, water heaters, and nozzles, too.
- Turn Off the Water Before Leaving Town. If you’re going on vacation for a weekend or longer, shut off your water supply before leaving. This prevents leaks from continuing uninterrupted while you’re away.
- Properly Maintain Your Water Heater. Water heaters should be drained about every six months. This will remove contaminants affecting its efficiency and improve its lifespan.
- Replace Your Pressure Relief Valve. Pressure relief valves prevent pipe bursts by regulating the amount of water pressure that builds up in your plumbing system. This valve is especially important during winter when water can freeze and expand inside your pipes. A professional plumber can inspect this valve annually.
- Watch Your Water Bill. If you notice strangely high water bills, you may need a professional plumber to investigate your system. Unexplained high bills can hint at hidden water leaks.
Restore Peace of Mind with PureDry: Your Trusted Partner in Water Damage Recovery
A water spot can be a rude surprise, but when you act fast, you can prevent further damage and reverse the effects of water leaks.
PureDry is the Seattle area’s trusted water damage restoration company. We help homes and businesses alike, offering residential and commercial water removal services when you need them most. Our water damage cleanup experts handle everything from water removal to full water damage repair, helping you recover from small leaks, huge floods, and everything in between.
With PureDry’s water extraction crew on your side, a water spot is nothing to fear. We’ll be on our way within one hour of your call, well-equipped and ready to restore your property and peace of mind. You can contact us 24/7—we look forward to helping you!
