5 Ways To Tell If Water Damage Is New Or Old

Water damage is a huge and often costly inconvenience. Unfortunately, it’s something that most homeowners have dealt with at one time or another. You may be surprised to learn that many people will have water damage in their homes without even knowing it. The longer water damage is left untreated, the higher the risk of mold exposure to everyone within the home. Therefore, it’s important to have an idea as to when the water damage has occurred, so you know how to properly treat the issue and prevent further damage from occurring. Keep reading this guide to learn about the different ways to tell if water damage is new or old.

How Do I Tell If Water Damage Is New or Old?

How Do I Tell If Water Damage Is New or Old?

Newer water damage is usually much easier to repair than older water damage. The telltale sign that determines if water damage is new or old is by the texture and appearance of the surface. However, there are other important signs to look out for.

Here are some other key ways that indicate the time your water damage has occurred.

1. History of the Home

The history of your home could be a big factor in determining when water damage occurred. If you are someone with an older home, the odds of water damage occurring from storms are higher. That’s because your pipes and water system are less durable than a newer home and more prone to leakages and other issues.

Another thing to think about is if your home has had a history of leaking during storms or if your home has been prone to flooding in the past. If so, the water damage may have been around for longer than you initially thought.

2. By ​​Touching the Affected Area

Discoloration Ceiling Need To Be Immediately Replaced After Water Damage

The texture of the affected area is a clear giveaway as to when the water damage occurred. If the surface where the water damage occurred still feels wet, but the wall still feels firm and intact, the incident likely happened pretty recently.

On the contrary, if the affected area feels soft and squishy, the damage has likely been around for a longer period of time.

Keep in mind that you should always wear a mask or gloves when coming in contact with the affected area to protect you from mold exposure.

3. Inspect the Area the Rings

Another thing to do is to observe the color and pattern of the water stains. If you notice rings on your drywall with water that’s darker in color, the damage is likely old. Just like trees, the longer the damage, the more rings you will see develop in the area.

In newer cases of water damage, rings will not be visible and you will instead only notice a dark spot of water. You may also see specks of mold that have not spread to other areas yet.

4. Inspect the Mold

Mold Remediation in Tampa bay area

While mold growth may be visible in both new and old water damage, its appearance can help you determine its age. If you notice mold on the area that is dry with a powdery consistency, the water damage probably happened a long time ago. 

Older mold has likely spread to other areas of your home, while newer mold is usually contained to the affected area. Newer mold will also appear as black, white, or grey spots with a bushy consistency.

If you notice any traces of mold in your home, it’s important to call a professional mold removal specialist like DRIRITE® ASAP. Long-term mold exposure could put you at risk of developing serious health issues over time and should be taken very seriously.

5. Inspect Your Home’s Building Materials

Your home’s building materials could also help you determine when water damage occurred in your home. If you have used thick walls or tiles in your home, slightly noticeable water damage could indicate that the issue has been occurring for longer than you thought.

Keep an eye on the materials in your home and notice where the damage has come from. A reputable water damage restoration company like DRIRITE® Emergency Services could help you inspect the water damage in your home to determine the severity.

Hire DRIRITE® For Your Professional Water Restoration Services Today

Whether your water damage is old or new, you will want to make sure that the problem is taken care of as soon as possible. Untreated water damage may expose you to mold or other harmful bacterial growth that could put you and other household members at risk.

Here at DRIRITE® Emergency Services, we will provide you with high-quality water damage cleanup and restoration services with 24/7 support for your convenience.

Give us a call today at (813) 213-0871 or contact us today on our website to request the service of your choice.

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