How to Check a House for Water Damage 

The most dangerous consequence of water damage is mold growth. This means that besides finding your furniture soaked deep into sewer waters, you will also have respiratory infections and mild asthma attacks afterwards.

That’s why water damage isn’t something to be reckoned with. Recognizing the signs and stopping the problem early on can be a lifesaver! Here is how to check your home for water damage: 

  1. Basement & Attics 

The first places you will find water damage are the attic and the basement. They are the ones who have the most contact with water. For instance, if your roof is damaged, the water will first drop by the attic and then move forward to other places, eventually even reaching the basement. So how to check for damage. Here is what to look out for:

  • Rotten wood
  • Leaky piping
  • Malfunctioning sump pump (in basement)
  • Odd noises (from sump pumps and pipes)
  • Roof cracks (in attic)

Other signs are listed below and apply to all rooms. Investigate everything in detail. Attic water damage means that your roof is losing functionality. Water damage below ground needs urgent repairs and basement waterproofing upgrades!

  1. Unpleasant Smells

Another sign for excess water in your home is unpleasant odor. You might have mold growth inside your walls or a clogged pipe nearby, whatever it is, expect it to get as smelly as possible. However unpleasant it sounds, track down the smell and find out where it’s coming from.

In most cases, severe mold growth is the culprit. You might need to crack open your walls to find out since sometimes it doesn’t appear on the outside. However, this is a job for the professionals and besides expert cleaning services; you will also need to have your piping, basement and attic professionally inspected. 

  1. Walls & Floors 

Apart from mold growth inside walls, you also check for other signs while you are at it. If you find one of these signs on your walls or flooring, immediately schedule a plumbing consultation:

  • Damp and unusual spots
  • Peeled or worn off paint
  • Cracks and leaks
  • Rotten wood (on floors or window frames)
  • Softness
  • Warped flooring
  • Swollen walls
  1. Exterior Looks

Water damage can also be seen outside the house. Inspecting the exterior might need more effort and an eye keen to details. First, you must check the roof for any missing or damaged shingles. If you can, investigate the gutters, chimney and flashing as well.

Another thing you should put focus on is the backyard. If there is flooded and dead plant life, you might have water accumulating in the ground and putting pressure on your basement walls. To solve this, you will need proper backyard drainage or exterior basement waterproofing.

Finally, start inspecting those exterior walls. If you have cracks or moss on your foundation and structure, you probably have enormous quantity of water traveling inside your floors and walls. After you find those spots, check out what’s happening, but from the inside too. 

  1. Piping Inspections

Last, but not least are piping inspections. Reaching a maximum of $100, a simple camera sewer inspection can save you thousands of dollars for future repairs. Identifying issues early on significantly reduces chances for more complicated water damage.

During these inspections, you will get to see whether a tree root is clogging your drains or whether mineral buildups are blocking the water’s pathway. 

Also have in mind that the average life of a sump pump is 8 years. Regularly inspecting and cleaning it can prolong its lifespan and save you from sudden collapse and overflow.

Noticing that you have piping troubles is very easy. You just need to know where to look. With the signs listed above, you can now identify faulty piping. Let’s go over it one more time and add a few more information while we are at it:

  • Unpleasant smells
  • Weird noises from pipes, water appliances and sump pumps
  • Damp spots from leaky pipes
  • Slow or overrunning sump pump
  • Low water pressure throughout the home
  • Moisture and mold growth
  • Rotten wood on floor, windows and attic joists
  • Cracks on floors and walls
  • Issues with your roof and attic
  • Leaks and high humidity in basements

With this guide, you are capable of identifying water damage. However, to solve your issues, you need to contact professional plumbing companies which will explain you the reasons and give you adequate solutions.