How to Get Rid of House Water Damage

How to Get Rid of House Water Damage

How to Get Rid of House Water Damage

Water is one of the most precious and powerful elements on Earth. All living things depend on it for survival. Though it is useful, it can also completely destroy almost anything, given enough time. Even the hardest rock will eventually give in to water pressure if it's subjected to it long enough.

Tsunamis and torrential rains are not everyday occurrences, but even in relatively mundane urban settings, innocent water can still cause havoc. A leaking pipe, a water trap that's not tightly shut, or even a faulty faucet—these things can turn your home into a small pond. Typhoons are usually predictable and can give you advance warning to prepare, but leaks in pipes and drips from faulty faucets are often inconspicuous and silent, so fly under your radar. Many people take these water problems lightly until it's too late.

Signs of Water DamageDoes your house have any water damage? Check for these warning signs right away so you can identify and stop the problem before it gets worse.

• Standing water on the floor. The most obvious sign of impending water damage are pools of water on the floor, most usually in the kitchen. These pools of water indicate that there's a continuous leak somewhere and it has been escaping the normal process of evaporation. If you've already mopped up standing water on your floor and then find some again the next couple of days, then put the mop aside and start looking for leaks or drips. You can mop all you want but as long as you don't fix the source, you will always end up doing the same thing. Your floor will also get damaged day after day.
• Indicators in the house's structure. If your floor begins to buckle slightly, then water is probably present. The reason for this is that vinyl floors are laid over particleboard underlayment that absorbs water and then swells up. If you have hardwood floors, water cups up around the tongue-and-groove joints.The most common area where water damage is seen is the bathroom in front of the tub or shower --- the damage can occur from splashing or where people step in and out with dripping feet. Keep an eye out for any buckling.For drywall, check for a discolored or slightly swollen appearance since drywall softens and breaks down.
• Appearance of stains. Next to standing water, the appearance of stains in several parts of your house is a good indication that you have a leak or water encroachment somewhere. The stains may appear:

• Around the windows or on the bottom of the exterior doors, indicating that the water is coming from the outside;
• At the joint between the exterior wall and the ceiling --- it can also mean an ice-damming problem;
• Anywhere in the ceiling, which is almost an indication of a roof leak, unless you have installed water lines in your attic. If you see stains on your ceiling, remember that it does not mean the leak is right above it. Usually, it originates higher and just drips down.
• In cabinets that house a sink --- an indication of a leak in the sink drain system or from the trap.
• Where there are mildew and mold stains. While not exactly definitive proof of a leak, the presence of mildew or molds indicates moisture. In a bathroom where moisture is prevalent, it's an indication that you just don't have enough ventilation to rid the room of mildew. If you see them at the bottom of an exterior wall, it might mean that water is coming in. In closets or places where there is little or no air circulation present, it could mean an overly damp crawl space.

Getting Rid of Water DamageIf your home is ravaged by water damage, here are some things you can do to fix the situation.

• Find the source of the water and fix it. Most often, water damage comes from leaks from pipes or drainage. Get yourself one of those cement glues specifically made for covering up leaky pipes and you should do fine. Remember to turn off your water source first before trying to find and fix the leak.
• Get rid of any excess water. You can do this by simply mopping the entire wet area. If mops don't work, then try using a vacuum cleaner. Do this as quickly as possible. The faster you can clean the water up, the less likely it is mold and mildew will develop. If the water damage is particularly large, take pictures of the damage prior to cleaning it up for the insurance company to cover.
• Let in proper ventilation or turn up the air conditioner. Doing so will prevent the growth of molds and mildew. Proper ventilation will also cause cloth or cloth-like fibers to dry faster if the water damage has affected them.
• Call in the professionals. The best way to get rid of water damage is to hire professional cleaners. They will assure that your home and furniture will be handled with the utmost care.

Water damage to your house should never be taken lightly. Your house is one of your biggest investments. You should take care of it so it will remain standing, clean, and intact.

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