How to Inspect Your Home For Water Damage

Whether you’ve just had a burst pipe or have had a storm or fire and need to assess water damage, the signs of water damage may be challenging to face, given the other things on your mind. However, you must be able to inspect your home thoroughly for water damage, from the basement to the walls in every bedroom, bathroom, and even your attic. Carefully check your home for water damage as soon as you can and document your findings.

Check the walls for visible signs of water damage, as walls and ceilings for some of the easiest-to-spot signs of this type of damage. Check walls, ceilings, window and door frames for unusual stains that are indicative of water damage. It may be a sign of a leaky pipe or drain inside the wall, and alongside these stains may be cracks in the drywall. An exposed wall that appears swollen or soft to the touch may also be water damaged. The flooring may also be water damaged if it is physically warped, buckled, or soft. As well, dark or white stains in wood flooring should be taken seriously as they indicate water damage. Damp carpeting or carpeting with a smell of dampness or mold should be checked and thoroughly inspected.

Inspect the pipes in your home, which typically means checking your basement. Check the piping in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, and basement for primary signs of water damage, including water stains, corrosion, and leaking. If you find any loose or missing caulking, this was likely caused by water damage in your home. Check for visible mold around piping. While in the basement, there may be visible standing water if you’ve had a bad leak or water damage. Check for damage to flooring, baseboards, walls, and any furniture, and keep your nose ready for those telltale unpleasant odors that accompany mold and mildew presence.

Check the attic of your home thoroughly for mold, leaks, and stains associated with water damage in the walls, ceilings, and flooring. Pay close attention to a few critical areas, especially the area at which the two roof planes meet and the insulation, which should always be dry. If you live in a cold climate, watch for melting snow. Do not forget to adequately check the outside of your home for signs of water damage. This may get more complicated, because you will need to work with an expert who has the tools, and skilled experience, to handle a quality roof inspection as cracked or curled shingles as a clear sign of water damage.

If you are not confident in your ability to check for water damage or find that you have sustained a significant amount of water damage that needs to be restored, make sure you call a professional immediately. Ask friends, family, or colleagues about businesses that offer service restoration of Minneapolis or your local area, and read reviews thoroughly as you speak to past clients. You want to be sure that they can get your home back to its beautiful pre-loss state.