Signs Of Indoor Water Damage

When water intrudes into an indoor space, it can flow anywhere causing all kinds of damage to your home. Water can wreak havoc on a property if it is not dried out soon enough. The longer water damage is left to sit, the more damage it will do to the structural integrity of your property. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify signs of water damage in your home. An inadequate dry out can lead to serious damage in your property which means diminished structural integrity and costly repairs.

Symptoms Of Indoor Water Damage In Louisiana

Indoor water intrusion can easily go unnoticed for an extended period of time. It is important that Louisiana homeowners know how to identify signs that could be pointing to severe water damage in your home. As most of us know, water damage left unattended can lead to a mold problem. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold to develop under the right conditions. Mold is often a side effect of severe water damage. Signs of water damage in your home include:

Suspicious Staining: Unexplained discoloration or dark staining on walls and ceilings could be the aftermath of water damage. Water that seeps into building materials often presents itself as a stain or a blotch slowly saturating the closest building material to it.

Signs of Mold:

  • Musty odors: Hidden water damage remains stagnant, promoting mold development. Mold gives off a distinct, earthy, pungent odor. 
  • Visual Indicators: Mold can often present itself as fuzzy or chalky, and comes in all different colors.

Damaged Wall Finishes: Situations with excessive moisture buildup inside a wall will cause the paint or wallpaper to peel, chip or bubble. This is a visual indicator of water damage to keep an eye out for. 

Swelling & Sweating Walls: When porous building materials are constantly in contact with excess moisture, they may begin to swell. This can be visibly apparent when the damage becomes more extreme. A sign of this to look out for is if your trim/baseboards are separating from the wall. As materials begin to swell up, surfaces that were once flush with each other begin to swell and push against each other, forcing separation. Similarly, when there is an excessive amount of moisture in a confined space, condensation can begin to develop on walls, ceilings or windows. Oftentimes when your Louisiana home is suffering from moisture problems, you may notice condensation forming. This could be caused by humidity, leakage, poor ventilation, etc.

Floor Effects: Moisture damage commonly travels down to the lowest level, seeping beneath floor coverings and soaking into the subfloor. You may need to seek the help of a professional water damage restoration company in your Louisiana area if your floors are experiencing signs of moisture damage. In order to effectively dry out the structure, you may need to remove some floor coverings, specifically carpet and padding. Moisture that goes unaddressed for extended periods of time can lead to widespread issues throughout the home, including mold development.

Sagging: Over time, the excessive weight that collected water can impose on the structure of your Louisiana property can begin to reflect in your walls and ceilings. Saturated building materials can begin to sag and deform, compromising the structural integrity of the home, presenting a potential safety hazard should they collapse.

Handling Signs Of Water Damage In Louisiana

Unaddressed indoor moisture issues can wreak havoc on the structure of your home, leaving you with significant damage. On a regular basis, water in your Louisiana home may seem harmless, but the truth is that it can be detrimental. If you are detecting signs of water damage in your Louisiana property, it is important that you do not hesitate to contact a local professional water damage restoration company to assess the situation.

Need water damage restoration services in the Acadiana area? Contact DryMax today!

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