No matter where water damage comes from, when left uncovered in a home it has the potential to do mass damage. Here’s how to catch water damage on your home.
Are you a Toronto homeowner suddenly noticing strange smells, stains, or damp spots in your house? Unfortunately, these may be telltale signs of water damage.
From foundation to roof, when water gets in where it doesn’t belong, it has the potential to do a lot of harm. But the good news is: water damage is fixable.
Water damage can be fixed
The sooner you fix a water damage problem, the better. The longer water is leaking or seeping in where it shouldn’t be, the more damage it has the potential to do.
Water damage restoration is one of those big jobs where it makes sense to hire a professional. In Toronto, water damage experts like us here at Hero Response, can fix the symptoms, fix the cause, and help with preventative measures.
Fixing water damage can involve repairs to your home’s plumbing, foundation, framework and more. Standing water may need to be removed and treatment for mould may be necessary. Consulting a water damage restoration company that can help with all of these concerns will save you time and money.
What should homeowners know about water damage?
It’s important to know the signs of water damage so potential problems can be caught quickly.
Read on to learn more about how water damage happens and what you can do to protect your home from its effects.
How does water damage happen?
Of course, an extreme event such as flooding or being hosed down in protection from a fire will cause obvious water damage to a house. But there are several less conspicuous ways that water can get to parts of your home where it doesn’t belong, and you might not even notice until it’s too late!
These can include:
- Leaks anywhere in your home’s plumbing system
- Leaks at the site of rusted or corroded pipes
- Leaks in the roof
- Cracks in the foundation
- Damaged or cracked spots anywhere on the home’s exterior where rain or snow can enter. In cold climates, such as in Toronto, water damage can be caused by ice dams forming on the roof and leaking through when they melt.
What can water damage do to my home?
If a water damage problem goes unfixed, the effects on your home can be unsightly, lower your property value, or even be downright dangerous. Here are some of the common consequences of water damage:
- Cosmetic problems: Water damage can noticeably warp or crack floors, walls, ceilings, and cabinets. Spots where water damage has occured are often badly stained or discolored (carpets, walls, ceilings, etc.).
- Damage to belongings: In addition to the house itself, water damage can also damage your personal effects (furniture, documents, photos, electronics, clothing, etc).
- Structural problems: The wood framing, roof rafters, and floorboards inside your home can begin to soften, warp, and rot when exposed to water for a prolonged period. Left untreated, this can make for an unsafe structure and lead to very expensive repairs and devaluation of your property.
- Pest problems: Many household pests thrive in dark, damp areas and may decide to move in with you.
Mould problems
Moulds are a type of fungi that grow well in humid places (such as basements or in bathrooms). Exposure to mould can cause allergic reactions, both mild and severe.
Children, the elderly, and people with lung conditions, asthma, or weakened immune systems are typically more susceptible to the detrimental effects of mould. There have been studies suggesting a link between respiratory problems in otherwise healthy children and exposure to mould.
How can I tell if my home has water damage?
There are many different symptoms that can indicate water damage in your home. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Signs of active leaks or of damage left untreated
- Warping, cracking, stains or discoloration of surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, or cabinets
- Watermarks or “soft spots” on walls or other surfaces
- Staining/discoloration of carpet
- Tile peeling away from a wall or floor
- Damaged or missing tile grout
- Damaged or missing caulk on bathroom fixtures
- Rusty or corroding pipes or water heater
- A cold, damp area on a wall (possibly making that whole room harder to heat) which may indicate a plumbing leak inside that wall.
- Pools of moisture or damp spots
- A persistent damp smell in the air
- Problems with your roof, such as holes, discolored shingles, or “soft spots”
- Wet insulation in the attic
- Standing water/poor drainage around the foundation
- Your water bill has inexplicably increased
- Discolored running water and/or sputtering when you turn it on, which can be signs of a problem somewhere inside the pipes.
- Suspicious cosmetic “patchwork” (very heavy paint covering a corner of a ceiling, for example) could be a sign that the previous owners tried to hide water damage.
If you come across any of these potential water damage symptoms, contact a water damage expert right away to help discern the problem and get it fixed quickly!
It also may be helpful to consult a water damage expert if your home exhibits any of the following:
Signs of potential problems
- Overflow containers on refrigerator or air conditioning unit not draining well.
- Hoses behind sinks and washing machines have become brittle. Brittle hoses are more likely to break and create a leak.
- Damaged or missing roof shingles
- Leaking gutters or gutters that don’t direct water far enough away from the house.
What can I do to repair water damage?
Repair of water damage is best handled by a water damage restoration service, like Hero Response. Whether you’ve experienced a flood or a simple plumbing leak did some damage there can be a lot to fix and clean up.
For insurance companies and homeowners alike, coordinating with multiple contractors to get a job completed can be a major headache. Hero Response is proud to be the Toronto water damage expert that can walk you through the entire process. We diagnose the problem, fix the cause, repair the effects, and help you avoid future water damage problems.
If you are concerned about what water damage may be doing to your home, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation. The sooner you can start damage control, the better. And we want to help you!