Your home or business requires maintenance, and sometimes repairs need to be done to keep your house or business' building clean, safe, and working at its best. Water damage is one type of maintenance issue that you'll need to stay on top of. When water sits, mold can grow, and the damage can even cause structural problems. For instance, mold can be the source of respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, nasal problems, and more. Structural problems with the floor joists and framing can occur when water from flooding stands for long periods of time. It can also ruin drywall, cabinetry, and ceilings. If you want your home or business' building to be safe and structurally sound, you'll need to know where water damage comes from, how to find someone to fix it, and the red flags that you'll see when you have water damage.
How Does Water Damage Happen?
Water damage commonly occurs when there has been a broken pipe or flooding. When you have a broken pipe in your house or building, the water damage is more likely to be localized in one area of the house. Pipes can burst if you live in a climate that gets cold and the pipes aren't properly insulated. The plumbing in older buildings can also slowly wear away, creating a slow leak. If you have a small leak, you might not notice it right away. This leak can be within the walls, and you might hear a hissing sound. Another common place to have water damage is in cabinets underneath sinks. If your home has flooded, it's more likely that all of the lower levels will be affected. Water damage can also occur when a roof leaks or the plumbing in the bathtub leaks through the ceiling.
How to Find Someone to Fix Water Damage
If your home or business has water damage, you'll want to call a water damage restoration company. These companies often specialize is both water and fire damage, and they'll be able to ensure that your home is free of mold. If your water damage is due to bad plumbing, they'll work with your insurance company and the plumber you called out to fix your leak. To find a reputable water damage restoration company, you can look at reviews online and talk to friends, family, and neighbors. You'll also need to find a company that's able to come to your house or business to take care of it sooner rather than later, which means that the company should be local.
Signs of Water Damage
If your home or business gets flooded, call a water damage restoration company immediately. You'll see the signs fairly quickly, and it will likely take time to restore the entire lower half of your house or building. If you have water damage from a leaking pipe or roof, the signs will be less obvious. If you hear strange noises coming from your plumbing, this is one of the first signs that you might notice of a leaking pipe. You might also find water on the floor or coming up through the floorboards. Wet or yellowing walls or ceilings are other key indicators, as is a musty smell throughout a room. If you have an attic that is unfinished, you can also check there to find water and other signs of damage. Finally, unexplained illness can be a sign that you have mold that has been growing for some time from a small, undiscovered leak.
