When water damage occurs in your home or business, you never want to ignore it. The faster you deal with this issue, the easier it is to minimize the costs and complications involved. But you may not always realize that damage is occurring. Today, we’ll point out a few surprising signs of hidden water damage, so you’ll be better-equipped to spot problems right away.
At 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, we know that water damage events aren’t always as acute as basement flooding. Very often, moisture can build up below surfaces, making it difficult to detect without professional intervention. That’s why, if any signs of hidden water damage appear in your home or business, you’ll want to investigate them right away.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few big indicators.
4 Signs of Hidden Water Damage
1. Higher Water Bills.
From month to month, your water bill shouldn’t vary too much. It may increase if you have guests staying with you, or decrease when you’re away on vacation. But sudden, unexplained spikes are always a cause for concern.
If you’ve noticed that your water bills are higher than they should be lately, this could be a sign that one of our pipes is leaking. Even a small leak can contribute to a noticeable increase in your water bill. It’s worth investigating further. You may be able to locate the leak on your own, or you may need to call in professionals to triangulate the problem.
2. Strong Odors.
When moisture lingers in the air or on surfaces, it can contribute to strong smells. That’s because water buildup allows bacteria and mildew to thrive. It can also point to a lack of proper ventilation, which will encourage both higher humidity levels and less airflow to mitigate smells.
If your bathroom, basement, attic, or other area of your home starts to smell funky, you’ll want to take a closer look. If these smells are pungent or musty, they’re more likely to be hidden signs of water damage. Whatever the case, you’ll want to find the source of the smell, so you can take the next steps as quickly as possible.
3. The Appearance of Mold.
It’s a simple rule of thumb: if mold has appeared in your home or business, it has a water source that’s feeding it. If you can’t see any obvious water sources, it’s likely a sign of hidden water damage.
Mold only needs water and food sources to thrive. For food sources, mold can live off all kinds of materials in a building—including textiles, paper, and even dust particles. That’s why, to treat mold, it’s crucial to treat the moisture sources that are contributing to its presence. It’s also why any mold in your home is tied to water damage issues.
4. Warped or Buckling Surfaces.
When enough moisture builds up, it can begin to warp the surfaces of your home or business. That’s especially true when you have wooden flooring or drywall surfaces. Wood is prone to buckling, warping, or even lifting up when faced with too much moisture. Drywall can become soft and spongy, and you may start to notice signs of paint peeling as well.
If any of these problems are occurring, they’re likely pointing to signs of hidden water damage. You’ll want to ask water damage professionals for help, so you can find out where the problem is happening and why it’s appearing in the first place.
Water Damage Services for Your Home or Business
Whether you have noticed signs of hidden water damage, or you need professional treatment in the aftermath of a water damage event, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE is always a phone call away. With state-of-the-art equipment, our professionals can sweep affected areas and detect moisture issues that are occurring below the surface.
And that’s just the start. From water removal to cosmetic and structural repairs, we can help with the wide-ranging effects of water damage issues. In the process, we can help to return your property to its pre-damage condition, too.
If you’re worried about signs of hidden water damage, don’t delay in contacting our team. Just reach out to 1-800 WATER DAMAGE to request our services today.
