Water damage or leakage can be a frustrating issue. It is estimated that nearly 10% of homes have undetected leakages. This can create many problems like mold, increased water bills, and other expensive damages. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms are visible but we are not able to identify them. So, below are some of the most common water damage and leakage signs in your house. If you notice them, consider water damage restoration and prevention.

Increased Water Bills

The first thing you should notice if there is water damage or leakage in your house is increased water bills. If you find out that the water level in your reservoir is decreasing without any apparent usage, it means something is wrong. There may be a leak somewhere deep inside the system that will need a thorough inspection.

Other than that, you should also check if someone in the house is using water appliances. For instance, if someone happens to be using a pressure washer, you can expect a bit more water consumption. Plus, if you have sprinklers installed in your yard, it might be that someone has left them turned on.

If you still are not able to find the issue, you will need to check the patterns of the water bill. Check your usage against the previous bills. If there is a huge difference, it means something is seriously wrong and needs attention.

Wet Spots

Wet spots are another sign of leakages or damage in the house. But, the thing with wet spots is that they can be difficult to spot sometimes. This is due to the color of the paint. If the color happens to be dark, it can be really difficult to spot the water spots.

But, if the color happens to be light, you will be able to notice them easily. Wet spots do not just occur on the ceilings but also on the floor and walls. If you have a double-story house and notice water spots on the ceiling or the walls, it simply hints at a leak.

It could also be that someone has left the water tap open without closing it. If the water spots happen to be large, you should check from outside the property as well. If you notice that a patch of grass is doing better than the rest, it means there is an underground leakage.

Stains

After the wet spots have disappeared after some time, there is a chance they will appear again. This constant wetting and drying will surely leave stains. For instance, if you have a white wall, you will notice it will become discolored and stained.

If that is the case, you will notice the stains on the ceiling and walls followed by mold growth and mildew. This means that if you are not able to notice the recurring wet spots, you will surely notice the staining. And, by that time, you will also experience a musty or moldy smell.

This means that the something is leaking and needs immediate fixing. Most homeowners tend to take stains for granted. In the beginning, it is a lot easier to handle the issue in terms of the time and money spent. However, when it becomes worse, the homeowners are left with nothing but expensive repair bills.

That said, you should immediately consult an expert as soon as you spot stains anywhere in the house.

Mold Growth

Mold growth is a big issue. This is due to the fact that mold and mildew love damp environments. If you have a leakage in your house, mold can take around 24 hours to develop or grow. Mold is a problem as it is dangerous due to the risk of causing respiratory problems.

Spores from the mold release in the air and end up inside the lungs as we breathe. Mold tends to have a musty smell as well. If you are not able to notice it first, you may notice the smell. A good way to avoid mold growth is to ensure the house is properly ventilated.

If possible, open the windows and the doors to reduce moisture. If not, turn on the fans and wait for the mold to go away. However, the best way of dealing with mold is calling in a mold remediation Silver Spring expert.

Soft Wood

Wood that has become permanently wet will feel spongy if you touch it or apply some pressure. As soon as you apply some force, you will see it giving way under your fingers. The fact that wood tends to absorb water makes it flexible and soft. This means that if you have a wooden floor and it feels spongy while walking on it, it means there is a serious water leak or damage.

The problem here is that you will need to remove the flooring to fix the leak or damage and it can be a time-consuming process. But you should never ignore it. This leakage will only escalate and will damage the entire woodwork. This is why you need to get it fixed before things get worse.

Sagging Ceiling

When there happens to be a leak in the roof, you will notice a sagging ceiling, which could be dangerous. This means the water leakage is most probably serious and has been occurring for a while now. To make sure, check the water taps and tubs. If everything seems fine but there is still a leakage, it means there is a pipe leakage. Moreover, roof leakages can also cause this problem.

The reason it is dangerous is due to the fact that the leakage can cause water to accumulate and cause the ceiling to fall. Therefore, consulting an expert on an immediate basis is necessary at this point.

Peeling Paint

Peeling paint is one of the early signs pointing to leakage or damage. The problem with peeling paint is that you might not be able to determine where it is leaking from. Sometimes, a long strip of paint will peel away if the water leakage has been there for some time.

If the water is leaking and drying up after a while, you will notice cracks and blisters on the wall. Both tend to be signs that there is a problem that can turn serious at any time. If there is just a small patch of paint peeling off, it will slowly spread and cause the entire wall to peel as well.

As a result, you will need to get the entire wall painted and this could be an expensive job.

Poor Water Pressure

Poor water pressure is a tell-tale sign that there is a leakage or damage somewhere in the house. You will notice this while pouring a glass of water or watering the plants. In some cases, the water pressure from the main pipe might not be enough but it is also a sign there is a leak on your property.

If the water pressure is low, you can contact the local authorities to check on the issue. It might be because they are performing maintenance work. If they are not, it most likely means there is a problem or a leak somewhere inside the property area.

Conclusion

Water leakage or damage is a serious issue that needs immediate attention. Considering the information mentioned above, you should always be on the lookout for signs & symptoms. As soon as you spot any, even if it’s a minor one, you should perform an inspection. If you notice mold or any other issue, consult a mold removal Bethesda service.