Responding quickly to water damage is the best way to prevent further damage from occurring. However, sometimes you cannot always see water damage so you don’t know you need to respond in the first place. Knowing what to look for to identify water damage can prove extremely beneficial in catching, stopping, and cleaning up water damage.
Water Damage Cleanup In Owasso
From the cleanup experts at Oklahoma Disaster Restoration, here are some signs that might signal you to call a water damage cleanup professional for your Owasso home.
- Water Stains: Water stains will appear as dark spots on ceilings, floors, walls, and inside cabinets over time. These water spots are the result of water penetrating through materials, leaving stains behind. These areas of discoloration will have irregular borders, range in shapes, change in color, and even grow in size over time. If you notice yellowish-brown spots on any surface in your home, have it evaluated for water damage.
- Bubbling Paint/Wallpaper: When water soaks through walls, it will try to push its way out. Paint has latex in it, giving it an almost elastic quality so when water builds up behind it, it causes it to expand. Oftentimes, water damage behind walls will manifest itself as bubbles in paint or wallpaper. Extensive water damage can form impressive water blisters on the ceiling that, when popped, can release gallons and gallons of water. Any time you notice bubbling up paint or wallpaper, you know there is water somewhere it isn’t supposed to be.
- Musty Odor: Water damage can lead to microbial growth and the breakdown of porous materials exposed to the water. These processes often result in a musty, damp, earthy smell. Pungent odors that do not go away over time and that you cannot attribute a source to are a strong indicator that there is water damage nearby and cleanup is necessary.
- Mold: If there is a strong odor present, then odds are there is mold and mildew present also. You should look for visible mold in areas that have higher humidity than others like the bathroom. Dark corners of your home like crawl spaces and attics are also common places for mold to grow and thrive. Mold can have a fuzzy, strand-like appearance, while also manifesting itself as little spots on surfaces. Mold found growing in your home is actually a major health hazard and can cause some pretty serious respiratory symptoms in those exposed to it. Mold cannot grow without a source of water or moisture so if you see mold in your home, you can also come to the conclusion that there is water damage facilitating the mold growth.
OK Disaster Water Damage Experts
Being able to recognize the signs of water damage can save your home from more extensive damage, and can help you find and stop water damage before it becomes severe. Water damage cleanup should not be put off, so if you notice any signs of water damage in your home, call for an inspection right away. Oklahoma Disaster Restoration offers the best water damage cleanup services in Owasso and will help you identify and resolve any water damage issues you may have.