Not all water damage results from a severe storm or a burst pipe. Sometimes water damage can be a minor leak that doesn’t get addressed soon enough and causes irreversible structural damage to your home or business. A slowly leaking pipe can erode the wooden beams within your walls or bubble underneath the exterior paint of your home. Even minor water damage signs should be taken care of as soon as possible! Don’t wait until the problem becomes a bigger and more expensive one. Call Olde Fort Restoration in Cincinnati, Ohio for water damage restoration and repair services if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms of water damage:
Water Stains
Water stains appear on your walls and ceilings as brownish beige or yellowish discolorations in the paint. Wherever you see these stains, you can bet there’s moisture trapped behind it. You may not think this is a big deal – you may even see numerous of these stains in small areas around the house – but that doesn’t make them any less serious. Do NOT ignore water stains! There may be a leaking or sweaty pipe somewhere in the roof or siding. These types of stains will only grow bigger over time so it’s best to identify the source of the stain as soon as you can.
Warped Siding or Flooring
Wood materials are porous, which means they fluctuate in shape depending on the moisture in the air. High humidity, heavy rains, or poorly ventilated spaces can all warp wood over time. This also applies to wooden cabinetry and furniture that is not sealed sufficiently. If you notice a cabinet door no longer closing properly, this is a strong indication of water damage. Because wood expands and shrinks depending on its moisture content, a fitted wooden door panel looking off-kilter is a sure sign of water damage. While noticing this may not point you in the right direction to find the source of the moisture, call in the professionals at Olde Fort Restoration and we’ll be sure to find it.
Peeling Paint
When you see paint peeling on either the interior or the exterior of your home, this is also an indication of water where it’s not supposed to be. When the paint peels, this means that water is getting underneath the paint, and slowly pushing the paint away from the wall as it absorbs into the wood. If the drywall or wood paneling under the paint is soft and swollen, it is possible you will have to replace the entire wall. This often happens when a pipe is leaking, you live in an area with high humidity, or you have an unventilated bathroom. If it’s specifically only on the exterior, you may have a problem with the way your roof and gutters filter water down and away from the house. If this is the case, your foundation and structural integrity of your property could be at risk.
Mold
Mold only thrives in warm, moist areas. This is why mold almost always comes along with water damage. Usually, when you identify the source of where the mold is coming from, there is almost always some form of water damage to blame. Another important thing to remember is that behind the small patches of mold you can visibly see, there’s a whole bunch you CAN’T that is still there! Mold is a serious health hazard and should be treated as such. Call in the professionals ASAP!
Olde Fort Restoration can help you if you notice any of the above signs and symptoms of water damage in your home or business. We do both commercial and residential restoration jobs in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Peeling Paint Photo by Clare Black
Water Stain Photo by John