How to tell if Water Damage is old or new? Glenshaw, PA 15116

Has that water damage always been there? Or did it just happen?  Recent customers in Glenshaw, PA 15116 have been affected by water damage. You will want to figure out if water damage is new or old, so that you know how extensive the damage may be, and what you need to do to stop the water intrusion.

Determine What Materials are affected:

Water effects different materials in different ways. If tile, brick, or another tough material has been affected by water damage, chances are the damage is old. It takes time to wear on these materials and create leaks. If your damage is in drywall, hardwood flooring or carpet, it could be new or old water damage. Even a bit of water can affect these materials right away.

 Check for Ring Marks

Drywall, wooden flooring, and other softer materials may develop “rings” if they have suffered water damage over a long period of time. Water soaks in and discolors the material. When it dried it will leave a stain behind. If this happens a few times, the effect is like several rings of water damage, some large and some small. This means the water damage is old.

Touch the affected area

Areas that have new water damage are likely to be wet but not soft. If you touch the water damage and the drywall is soft, the water has had time to soak in and ruin the integrity of the material. This means the water damage is likely to be old.

Look for Mold

Mold growth can begin within 24-48 hours of water damage. If you have visible mold on the water damaged area you know it has been soaked for at least 48 hours. More extensive mold growth may indicate the water damage is even over.

Although, the absence of mold doesn’t necessarily mean the damage is new. There could be other environmental factors that explain the lack of mold growth. Maybe it’s too hot or cold for mold to grow. Or, perhaps the excess moisture dries too quickly.