How To Find Potential Water Damage In Your Home

Water damage can be very detrimental to a home.  It can cause damage to the structure of your home, damage carpet and appliances and can also cause health issues.  Water damage can stem from problems such as a leaky roof, flooding or leaky pipes.  Water can be sneaky and can find hiding places in your house.  Here are some tips for finding hidden water in your home. 

Check your basement and attic.  The top and bottom of your house are two of the first places to check if you suspect water damage.  Some indications that you have a water problem in these areas will be cracks in the floor, rust, stains, visual mold and a mildewy smell.  Don't forget to check your rafters for stains.

Check your ceilings.  Water stains on the ceiling can indicate a water leak somewhere.  Check the ceiling thoroughly.  Don't forget the closets!

Look for crumbling wood.  Check around window and door frames for crumbling wood or paint.  Also check baseboards and any molding.  When the wood fills with water, it will break off.

Check for buckling floors and walls.  Your walls may absorb water, which in turn will warp them.  They will swell and buckle.  Bubbles and uneven spots in the floor may indicate a water problem. 

Look at your yard.  Puddling around the foundation or base of a home can be an indication that you have a water problem inside the house.  Water in the crawl space be an issue, also.

Use a device meant for finding water.

• Hygrometer—A hygrometer is a device that is meant to check for moisture in the air. 
• Moisture Meter—This device is meant to detect moisture in wood.  There are two types of moisture meters.  One uses "pins" that contain electrodes that are entered into the wood. Electrical resistance in the wood indicates moisture.  The other kind of moisture meter does not have pins, but detects the presence of water simply by coming in contact with the surface of wood.
• Thermal Imaging Camera—These are infrared cameras.  The moisture inside your walls causes a temperature difference, which is shown on the camera.  

If any of these methods or devices detects water, you need to act quickly.  The next step is to find out where the water is coming from.  It can be an expensive fix, especially if left for a long period of time.  Contact a professional like one from Accutech Restoration who is equipped to deal with water damage.