Common Signs You Might Need Water Damage Restoration

Mysterious Water Sounds

Has this ever happened to you? The water isn’t running. You’re not cooking or using the washing machine, and no one is taking a bath or shower. You don’t see any water. But you hear a constant “drip, drip, drip,” or even the “whoosh” of running water coming from somewhere.

Don’t just dismiss these mystery water sounds just because you can’t immediately see the source for them. You know those sounds mean water, and that means water is coming from somewhere. You could have water damage building up inside your walls. If you can’t find out where the water is coming from yourself, you probably need a plumber to find and stop the leak, and then you may need water damage restoration.

Unexplained Puddles

It’s disconcerting to just be walking across the floor and step in a puddle that shouldn’t be there. Sometimes these things happen because of spills and accidents – if you have small children or pets, puddles of mystery liquids are somewhat difficult to escape entirely, and even fully-grown adult humans could spill part of a glass of water without realizing it. An unexplained puddle isn’t a definite sign that you need a water damage restoration service.

However, sometimes that unexplained puddle is coming from the ceiling. Or worse, from under your floor. If you clean up the moisture only to return and find a puddle in the exact same spot later, it’s a good sign that the water wasn’t just a random spill. Even if the floor isn’t damaged, because you’re locating and cleaning the puddles before the water can cause much damage, the area that the water is coming from likely needs attention from a water damage restoration specialist.

Sudden Water Bill Spike

Minor fluctuations in your water bill aren’t unusual or a cause for concern. However, if your water bill has suddenly taken a jump and you didn’t recently do something that explains it, like filling up an empty pool, then you may have a leak. It could be a running toilet or a hidden leak behind a wall. This can cause big problems later.

Keep in mind that water damage could hurt more than just your house and your pocket. Moisture that’s not dried up can quickly lead to mold growth, which can lead to respiratory problems. Depending on the type of water leak or flooding, there may also be other health issues to consider as well.

Be careful of any leak if you have reason to suspect it may contain sewage because whether or not it’s causing damage to your home, it could be causing serious damage to you. According to a list maintained by the Indiana Department of Health, diseases that could be found in sewage-contaminated water include hepatitis A, encephalitis, and typhoid.

Smells of Mildew or Feeling of Moisture

Sometimes you can spot a water problem by smell. If the wetness has continued for any amount of time, you could be getting mildew (a form of mold). Molds and mildew have distinctive, usually musty odors that you’re likely to recognize. If you smell this, even if you can’t find the source, it’s a sign of a water problem.

You may also be able to feel a water problem from the moisture and humidity in the air. You can feel humidity on your skin – it can make an area seem warmer than the temperature in the home actually is, as well as add moisture to the air. Sometimes poorly-ventilated areas, like closets, just have high humidity, which can cause water damage all by itself. You need to find a way to improve ventilation in those areas, and you may need to inspect for water damage as well.

Conclusion

Not all water problems are as obvious as a big flood, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need water damage restoration services. Water damage can be mysterious, but there are ways for you to detect that it’s there, and it’s important to pay attention to them both for the sake of your home and for the health of your family.

Source

• https://www.in.gov/health/eph/onsite-sewage-systems-program/diseases-involving-sewage/