Old vs. New Water Damage

For every homeowner, water damage can be a nightmare. But before you panic about emergency signs of water damage in your home, the first thing to do is to determine whether it is new or old.

Determining the age of water damage might sound difficult, but it is important. Knowing whether you have a current problem that needs immediate attention from a water damage restoration company like Aladdin’s or something that is best handled by another type of professional can save you time, effort and money.

How to Tell if Water Damage is Old or New?

Distinguishing between old and new water damage is essential for several reasons. It helps to know how long the issue has been taking place, and this timeline will help you determine how serious the problem is. Here are three conditions that will help you tell if water damage is new or old:

• New water damage will be a dark water spot. Also, you’ll know it’s fresh when the surface feels firm.
• Old water damage has dry water rings. The surface for this type of water damage will also feel squishy.
• There will be the appearance of mold and mildew that have gray or black specks.

Determining the Age of Water Damage

There are steps you can take to determine how long there has been water damage occurring in your home. This will not only help you understand the seriousness of the problem, but also what steps you should take to correct it, and how quickly you need to do so.

Touch and Feel The Spot of Water Damage

Look for some spots with water damage and touch them. If the surface is squishy and mushy, it indicates that the ceiling must have absorbed much water, which means the water damage is old. If it is still somewhat firm, the damage may be more recent and indicate a newer problem in the home. A burst pipe or leaky roof could be the problem.

Search for Rings of Water Damage

Look for dark spots. If there is no ring around the surface, then the water damage is likely new. If there are rings around the dark spot, then the water damage must be old. And the more rings there are, the more time has passed since the water has seeped into the surface. 

Check & Examine the Materials Where the Damage is Present

Check the tiles and thick paint on your walls or ceiling as they could have trapped water within. Even a small water spot could mean that the water damage has been there for a long time. Bathrooms are especially susceptible to water damage, as tile can mask damage much longer than wood or drywall.

If you see the issue occurring on the ceiling, you may want to have a roof inspection done in addition to contacting a restoration company. Roofing problems can lead to dramatic damage to your home.

Inspect for Any Mold

Any sign of mold infestation is an indication that the damage brought by the water has been consistent for about two to three days. Mold can come in many forms, and understanding the mold in your home is key to staying safe and healthy. Luckily, Aladdin’s also offers complete mold remediation services as well.

Keep an Eye Out For Decay

Household materials do not typically decay due to brand new water damage. Any decay on your walls or ceilings means that the materials have been exposed to consistent standing water, which could mean that the water damage is old.

Any sign of water damage is bad news. Contacting a water damage restoration company at the first sight of water damage is essential to saving your home from more serious problems. If you see signs of water damage, call Aladdin’s for a free estimate today.