GOOD Home: How to Tell if Water Damage Is New or Old

"GOOD Home" is a biweekly sponsored column published in partnership with PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield about home safety, maintenance, weather preparedness, and damage prevention, with the goal to save homeowners from the hassle and headaches of severe property damage. Located in south Wilton (24 Danbury Rd., Suite 204), PuroClean provides 24/7 water damage remediation, fire and smoke restoration, and mold and biohazard removal services to the Fairfield County community and across southwest CT and Northeastern Westchester County.

Water damage is a fate that most homeowners experience and it can range from minor discoloration to significant structural damage. It can be difficult to determine how long it's been present, as some problem signs are not immediately visible. In area like ours, Fairfield and Westchester Counties, where we are affected by Hurricanes, snowstorms and often intense rainstorms. We are no strangers to water intruding through our building envelopes.

If you suspect your home may have suffered from water damage, assessing it to determine when it occurred is important so it's addressed accordingly. Even the slightest mishap can affect your home. We’ve compiled the following information to help you understand potential causes and what you can monitor if you spot something amiss.

Water damage refers to any damage to a property or its contents due to water intrusion. When water makes its way indoors, leaks, floods, burst pipes, and heavy rainfall are to blame. Consistent standing water can also lead to damage. It can affect multiple surfaces and materials, including walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and electronic equipment.

Water damage can be classified into three categories:

Because of its many ways to inflict structural damage, water damage is one of the most common and destructive issues homeowners and property managers encounter. It can also result in serious health hazards if left untreated. There are several potential causes of damage that homeowners and property managers should keep in mind.

By being aware of the potential causes and taking preventative measures, homeowners and property managers can minimize their risk of experiencing a disaster. Regular maintenance ensures that all plumbing systems function correctly and that HVAC units are well-maintained.

It's often difficult to pinpoint water damage, especially if it's older and has had time to dry. One of the most critical steps in dealing with it is determining the age of the water damage. Here are some tips on how to tell if water damage is new or old.

Determining whether water damage is new or old is essential when dealing with the problem. By examining the affected materials and looking for signs of discoloration, mold, warping, musty odors, rust, softness, and watermarks, you can get a good idea of how long the water damage has been there. Because of its property and health risks, contacting a professional water damage restoration company ensures they will resolve the issue immediately and efficiently.

If you’ve experienced water damage in your residential or commercial property and need expert help, contact PuroClean today. Our licensed professionals specialize in water damage restoration and will work with you to get your home or business back to its pre-loss condition quickly and safely. We use advanced equipment, techniques, and products to target all water-affected areas.

We will restore your property to its pre-loss condition while causing minimal interruption to your daily routine. If you’re dealing with a water damage situation, look us up on Linkedin, Facebook, or Instagram; call us at 475.277.2400; or email us.