Water damage is a funny thing; people who have never had to deal with it before usually don’t even have it on their radar at all! They just don’t know about it. That’s a dangerous thing, because water damage is one of those sudden emergencies that can cost you thousands of dollars to fix if you don’t catch it early! So in this guide, we’re going to cover the top 10 signs of water damage, so that you’re prepared to save your home from disaster!
Why trust this article? Because real experts wrote it! We’re Cleaner Guys, and we’ve been a professional water damage restoration company for more than 20 years! It’s our job to clean up water damage and catch it early. We know all the ins and outs of dealing with water damage, and we’re here to help you recognize it and deal with it correctly. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- What Is Water Damage?
- Top 10 Signs of Water Damage
- Is Water Damage Really Bad
- What to Do About Water Damage in an Apartment or Rental House
- What to Do About Water Damage in Your House
- How to Prevent Water Damage
What Is Water Damage?
Water damage is the harm done to buildings by exposure to excess amounts of water. Accidental spills from cups, bowls, or buckets do not usually “count”. A small amount of water like that is easy to mop up. But large amounts of water, left to sit for a while, can saturate porous materials like wood, drywall, insulation, textiles, and more. That’s why water can cause a lot of harm to buildings when a lot of it intrudes into walls, ceilings, and floors of all types. It softens, weakens, and rots building materials the longer it soaks into them.
The most common causes of water damage include:
- Plumbing leaks or bursts
- Roof leaks
- Refrigerator leaks
- Washing machine supply line leaks
- Dishwasher leaks
- Overflowed sink
- Overflowed toilet
- Flooding
- Sump pump issues
Water damage commonly looks like a pipe or large appliance slowly leaking water for a long time, unnoticed. This slow dripping allows a lot of water to accumulate over time. This accumulation of water soaks into the floor and the nearby drywall, which is really bad. We’ll explain in more detail why it’s bad in a bit. First, here’s how to recognize when it’s happening!
Top 10 Signs of Water Damage
Water intrusion can luckily usually be caught early — if you’re paying attention! As we list the top 10 signs of water damage below, we’ll list them from the earliest signs of water damage, down to the late-stage signs that mean “it’s already bad.”
1. Dripping or gurgling sounds inside the wall
This is almost certainly a sign that something is not right with the plumbing inside your walls. If you can hear dripping or gurgling sounds, it is probably because a pipe has cracked, and water is getting out! You should call a plumber and a water damage restoration company right away to assess the damage!
2. Turning on a faucet and little to no water coming out
Inadequate water pressure from a faucet almost always means there’s something wrong in the pipe connected to the faucet. The most common issues are a clog in the pipe, or a crack in the pipe that is releasing pressure and water into the interior of the wall.
You should call a plumber right away if you turn on a faucet and little to no water comes out — and possibly a water damage cleanup company too, if the cause proves to be a crack in the pipe!
3. Soft or squishy drywall or flooring
Drywall or flooring that is soft, wet, or squishy to the touch is saturated with water. This also calls for a call to a professional water damage restoration company!
4. Brown or grayish staining on the wall, ceiling, or floor
Puddle-shaped staining that looks grayish or coffee-colored is almost certainly water staining, from water inside the wall or under the floor. This, too, requires a professional water mitigation company to assess and fix.
5. Bubbling, peeling, or cracking paint
If the paint on your wall is bubbling or peeling away from the drywall, it’s probably because it’s saturated with water. Call a water restoration company right away!
6. Puddles of water under or behind appliances
This is sometimes the only way to tell that your large appliance has a leak; a spreading puddle of water. You should be regularly checking for puddles of water under and behind your refrigerator, washing machine, and toilet! If you ever see water puddling there, call the appliance manufacturer and a water damage mitigation company right away.
7. Warping or stained wood floor
When hardwood floors begin to become saturated with water, the planks will start to warp, buckle, and bend. You may also see water staining similar to what is described in sign number 3. Warped hardwood floor can be cause by other factors, not just water intrusion, but in order to completely rule out the possibility of water intrusion, it’s best to have a certified water damage restoration expert come out and do a quick, affordable inspection of the floor.
This is worth doing, despite the cost associated, because if there is water intrusion, it can cost you thousands of dollars more to fix later down the line.
8. Musty or “damp” odors
If you smell pungent odors that could be described as “musty”, “earthy”, “damp”, “moist”, or “moldy”, this is a sign of water saturation and possibly mold. Pay attention to odors like these, especially around certain areas of the home, like in cupboards, near walls, or in basements or attics. If you smell this kind of musty odor, contact a water damage restoration professional. They can use thermal imaging to see if there is water intrusion or mold in your home.
9. Visible mold
If you can see mold growth, it is an almost guaranteed sign that you have water intrusion somewhere. Mold does not grow without excess moisture. Mold looks like clusters or patches of fuzzy or slimy spots, which can be grey, green, black, brown, yellow, or white. If you see mold, the best course of action is to find a mold removal company that also specializes in water damage mitigation.
Not all water mitigation companies also handle mold, and not all mold removal companies also help with water damage. You’ll need to do your best to find a licensed company that does both!
If you’re in Washington State, your best bet is us, Cleaner Guys! We are licensed to handle both mold and water intrusion, and we’re award-winning for our work!
10. Water dripping from the ceiling
This is the most urgent sign you could have that there is water intruding into your walls and your home! We’ve written a full guide on what to do if there is water dripping out of your ceiling, which you can read here. The bare bones of it is that you should put some kind of vessel under the drips, figure out where the water is coming from, and call the right person to fix it. If it’s a leaking roof, you’ll need a roofer. If it’s an overflowed toilet upstairs or a burst pipe, you’ll need a plumber.
But in either case, you’ll need a water damage restoration company next, to restore your home from the damage!
Is Water Damage Really Bad
Yes, water damage is really bad, because it can weaken the structure of your home, and worse, lead to mold, which can make you very sick! Mold can grow from water damage in less than 48 hours, and its spores can cause mold sickness, allergic reactions, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and lungs.
Furthermore, water saturating the wood and drywall of your home will eventually cause it to rot and collapse! We have seen this happen in many jobs we’ve been called to, as a professional water damage cleanup company in Washington State.
Don’t wait even a day to take care of water intrusion like this!
What to Do About Water Damage in an Apartment or Rental House
If you see any of these top 10 signs of water damage in an apartment, you must contact your landlord immediately and tell them about it! Send photos and videos of the damage, or have them come see it themselves. Explain that water damage left untreated can cause structural weakness and mold, which will make people sick and cause thousands more dollars of clean up later. Impress on them the urgency of getting the water intrusion taken care of immediately!
In the meantime, place vessels under any leaks, turn off the water supply if you are able to, and try to dry out the area with fans until the professionals arrive.
For more detailed instructions on dealing with water intrusion in an apartment, such as who will have to pay for repairs, whether insurance will cover it, and more, check out our full guide here.
What to Do About Water Damage in Your House
If you see any of these top 10 signs of water damage in your house, you will have to take matters into your own hands and deal with it. First, you need to try to find the source of the water. Is it an overflowing toilet? A leaking pipe or appliance you can see? Or does it appear to be contained inside a wall? Knowing where the water is coming from is a huge step towards solving the problem.
Next, you should shut off the water supply, so that any leaking plumbing or appliances will stop. (This does not apply if the water intrusion is from a leaking roof.) After that, you need to call the right person to fix the source of the water, such as a plumber or a roofer. Then, while the water source is being fixed, you’ll need to call in a water damage restoration company to assess the damage, dry it out thoroughly, and determine if anything is damaged beyond repair.
How to Prevent Water Damage
The best way to really make a difference in whether your home suffers water damage or not is to be vigilant! Check common sources of water damage regularly, at least once every couple of months. This way, you’re much more likely to catch water intrusion very early, before it has damaged anything too severely.
Another big way to prevent water damage is to winterize your home every winter. Pipes freezing and cracking or bursting is by far one of the most common sources of the water damage we clean up here at Cleaner Guys. You can do several different things to help make sure you don’t have a catastrophic pipe burst! These include insulating your pipes, keeping the heat on, and many more hot tips! Read about our top 8 recommended steps to prevent frozen pipes in this guide here.
More Resources
Need more information on water damage and what to do about it? We’ve got you covered! Check out our full archive of water damage information here, or jump straight to one of our popular articles below.
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How to Choose a Water Damage Service Company You Can Trust ➜
If you need a water damage restoration company in Western Washington State, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option! We’re proud to boast award-winning customer service, lower prices than others, and top-notch workmanship. Contact us today through the menu at the top of your screen, or call us now at (360)757-4300!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No part of this article is medical or legal advice, and may not be used as such. For all serious medical matters, consult your doctor. For all serious legal matters, consult your legal advisor. This article contains Cleaner Guys’ experience and opinions only.
