Water Damage Signs

Spotting water damage starts with knowing what to look for in your home.

You should walk through your home every couple of months to look for signs you may have issues.

If you see any of these things, get them fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Look for changes to flooring, walls, or ceilings. Although a change in any of these areas is one of the signs you could have water damage, most of us take the structural elements of our homes for granted. Sure, we may clean them, but how often do we actually really LOOK at them? Even when we do look, we see them every day and might not really notice slow changes.

In some cases, the early signs of water damage are peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper. Over time, they will become bloated or swell and may even warp. In severe cases, walls and ceilings may feel spongy to the touch.

Wet flooring can go unnoticed too, especially if it’s only wet in the corners or in rooms that are used infrequently. By the time you notice a wet patch of carpeting or peeling tile, there could already be water damage to the sub-flooring.

Carpeting will feel wet to the touch or even spongy and soggy. Ceramic tile is likely to show signs of mold and the grout may crack. Vinyl and linoleum tile will begin to peel and crack when they are wet. Wood and laminate floors will begin to warp, cup, or buckle.

Call the Franchise Professionals at SERVPRO of Cape May County if you need help - 609-624-0202.