It’s not uncommon to move in a new home only to find out that it is infested with mold and mildew and then spend thousands of dollars on water damage Laguna Hills restoration services. Water can cause serious structural damage to a house and increase the risk of mold growth. Don’t let this happen to you. In order to recognize the clues of mold, it’s also important to find the signs of water damage.
Water damage is often caused by floods, leaks, and the accumulation of water in the basement. Though it can occur anywhere in your house, there are certain high-risk areas to examine first. Read on to find out where to look!
Inspect the walls and ceilings
The first and the most obvious signs of water damage that you should check are water stains on the ceilings and walls. Mold tends to grow in humid areas so it’s often related to water damage. It can start to grow behind the wallpaper or inside the walls.
If you spot brownish stains, there’s a strong possibility that mold is growing behind it. Don’t forget to check out the door and window frames, as well. Any unusual stains and off-color areas, as well as localized paint buildup, can all be signs of water damage. The damage is often caused by a crack in the roof or a leaking pipe.
Walls can hide small water leaks but areas that have been exposed to water will usually reveal themselves in time. Watch out for any cracks in the drywall and soft spots with a swollen look.
Examine the floors
Just like walls, floors are also likely to show stains due to water damage. Depending on the type of flooring in a room, you should look for different clues of water damage.
In rooms with uncarpeted floors, such as wood, tile, or laminate, be on the lookout for bulges in the material, white or dark stains, cracks, and squishy, warped or soft areas along the surface. Any bumps that you may feel on the floor as you set your foot on it can be caused by toxic mold underneath the material.
If the floors are carpeted, your quest can get a bit trickier. It’s because carpets can hide issues lying beneath the surface. Except for obvious water damage signs such as wet spots in the carpeting, watch for more subtle ones, like gradual rises underneath the floor. The musty odor is often a reliable indicator of water damage and mold.
Check the kitchen and bathroom
Pay attention to the pipes inside laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Examine these rooms for water stains, condensation, standing water, and leaking pipes.
If there’s a leak in any of the pipes, there’s a good chance that you will discover mold growing nearby. Also check all fixtures, a hot water heater, and a washing machine for possible indicators of water damage.
Top-notch water damage Laguna Hills restoration
Sometimes, even if you don’t see any of the warning signs of water damage in your Laguna Hills home, there may be a leak somewhere in the house, causing mold to grow in places that are inaccessible for you to look. If you want to make sure that your current home or potential new house is free of water damage and mold, hire experienced water damage Laguna Hills professionals to perform a thorough inspection.
Contact Emergency Home Solutions for all your mold remediation and water damage restoration needs. For more than 15 years, EHS has been providing Orange County residents with a vast range of first-rate emergency plumbing and restoration services. We know that time is of the essence in emergencies like these, so don’t hesitate to call us at (949) 916-0549 – anytime, day or night!