Water damage can wreak havoc on homes and businesses rapidly, often striking silently and leaving destructive consequences in its wake. In this guide, we’ll empower you with the knowledge to recognize early signs of water damage, identify its sources, and take decisive actions. The stakes are high – neglecting signs of water damage is like inviting a wrecking ball company to your property for practice swings. Let’s dive into the crucial signs and actions that can save your home from potential disaster or costly repairs.

This homeowner had no signs of water damage, they simply experienced a flood from above that we were able to fully remediate and complete restoration for their home. This before and after photo actually shows after our remediation on the left, and after our full restoration on the right side.

Why Taking Action on Water Damage is Important

First, note that signs of water damage should be addressed immediately. This content is to help those who may have only discovered the evidence of the damage. Often water damage accumulates silently, and will burst out of hiding without warning. Still after the flood, there may only be clues to the water source. For these water damages, we hope to help you to know the signs of the damage, discover the source, and know what actions are needed.

When you invest in your home, failure to act on early signs of water damage is like parking a demolition truck out front with the wrecking ball weight just waiting to fall upon your family. If you can take action to prevent water damage or remove it, do so immediately or call professionals.

Even if the water damage is minimal on the surface, the root of the problem can be costly water waste, wood rot formation, and also a cause for mold formations that will impact your health. Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome-Water Damaged Building (CIRS-WDB) is a severe respiratory health concern that can develop from water damage in a home or building.

Before and after photo of a water damaged property that was neglected to let mold to grow.

Water Damage Experts

If you need help with a large water damage problem in your home or business, reach out! Orange Restoration has over 20 years of experience with water damage restoration. We can help with flood mitigation, water damage remediation, and also the reconstruction and restoration of your home. Our team has experience from international projects, so we have seen it all! Here are some tips prepared by our expert mold and water damage technicians.

Visual Signs of Water Damage

Often when we have water damage there are warning signs. Even if the water damage source is from a small plumbing leak or natural rain leakage. Looking for water damage can seem redundant, but it is not really about seeking the water damage, but about knowing the signs of water damage. Knowing the signs of water damage means, you will probably notice the water damage without putting effort into searching for it.

• Recurring Puddles or Moisture: Often near the kitchen sink, puddles will form due to use, but could it be you are excusing the puddle that has been coming from a deeper problem? Yes. Often a leak’s symptoms will be dismissed in areas where there is regular moisture due to normal usage. A recurring puddle in the bathroom or kitchen should be investigated to ensure it is not coming from plumbing. 

• A Deeper Slow Leak: A slow leak can be overlooked and allow for deeper structural damage to occur. Be sure to check under the kitchen sink and around fixtures in the bathroom every time you find a puddle near by these plumbing fixtures. If you find moisture on the fixture above a puddle, better call a plumber! Or call us to resolve the whole problem, investigate any deeper issues, and restore the water damages. 

• Bubbling Paint on Walls: The paint of your walls should never bubble! This is always a sign of some deeper problem. If you see the paint on your walls begin to bubble, this probably means you have water pressure impacting the walls of your home. You might see the walls bowing as there may also be water inside the wall! This will require a professional to detect the leak and may require going into the walls to check for mold growth. In addition to the visual inspection, you might also smell a musty odor if there is mold or mildew formations. 

• Buckling Wooden Floors: Before buckling, wooden floors may exhibit signs like curling at the edges or cupping, where the center of the board is higher than the edges. These changes indicate water absorption. Also, because the floors are lower than all other visual surfaces, other areas may show signs of damage leading to the floors. For example, materials around the flooring like drywall, baseboards, or door frames may swell or warp when exposed to prolonged moisture. Check for irregularities in the shape and alignment of these wooden elements. 

• Discoloration of Walls: Usually water will leave a color of light brown or yellow on white paint or drywalls. Signs of water damage can also be discoloring of painted walls or wallpaper and create natural water stains that last long after the water dries up. Often wall paper will flake and the texture will change due to the water damage. There may or may not be bubbling of paint, only some paint will bubble. 

What does Water Damage on a Ceiling Look Like?

Often with water coming from above the water comes fast and heavy, but occasionally, it is a slow leak. When you are dealing with a slow leak, you may have the water permeate the structural elements of your ceiling, causing light brown or yellow water rings. 

Painted Ceiling: On the other hand, you may have painted ceilings that may bubble, flake or allow the weight of the water to increase till the ceiling sags or bows down. Also, mold growth could be forming around the affected areas including drywall leading up to the ceiling.  

Here is an example of Mold growth, one of many signs of water damage. The after photo shows full mold remediation.

Causes of Water Damage in your Home 

Signs of water damage can have unpredictable sources for some water damage issues. Here are some insights into the hidden issues causing these problems.

• Slow Leak Hidden in Walls: An in wall leak will usually be attributed to plumbing. In the case of an in wall plumbing leak, chances are some mold will develop and spread within the walls of your home. 

• You might be able to notice the musty smell, or feel the wall is moist from outside. All leaks in the wall will need to be handled. If you need repiping, we have Pro Plumber San Diego available to help with all the plumbing needs.  

• Leak in Neighbors Unit or Attic (Water from the Ceiling): As you read, about the visual signs of water damage, the ceiling will often appear the same with water damages. Still, often water from above crashes down on us. 

• When you have a leak coming from above, call a professional immediately. The implications of water damage from above puts all your possessions and your family at risk! You may want to coordinate with your landlord or neighbors to get this solved promptly and provide access to the professionals.

• Plumbing Fixtures: Maintaining and inspecting plumbing fixtures is a good practice, but often when plumbing fixtures go bad, they become a significant source of water. Plumbing fixture failures will rapidly lead to flooding.

• Broken Seals, Aged Weather Stripping and Roof Leaks: Inspecting your appliances, plumbing and windows is important to do at least annually. Also should be considered checking weather stripping before the rainy season. 

• HVAC, Appliances, and Sprinkler Systems: Water is used in the home, around the home and within systems like the HVAC. These resources work well to help provide automation, comfort and consistency to the home, but when they malfunction, they can produce moisture, small leaks, or even flooding. 

• Having an HVAC professional inspect the system and having a landscaping professional address these issues or turn off the systems for temporary stop to the leak source. If there is damage, you may still need to call a professional to avoid mold or further damages from the water. 

How Likely is Mold After Water Damage?

If left moist for 24 hours, mold will begin forming. Even though the mold spores may not be visible to the eye, microbial growth will begin to form. At this time, you will need to fight 2 battles, one to remove the water damage and another to fight the mold. Mold formations on the surface are not as serious as the implication of the mold spores releasing into the air to spread and also, when airborne, this begins to impact your health for the negative. We can handle your flood or water damages, but also deal with full mold remediation and restoration.

Orange Restoration Wrap-up on Water Damage

Safeguarding your home from the silent threat of water damage requires vigilance, prompt action, and a keen understanding of the red flags. Whether it’s the subtle discoloration of walls, the ominous bubbling of paint, or the more overt signs like buckling wooden floors, each visual cue demands attention. 

Remember, signs of water damage are not just a cosmetic concerns; it’s a potential catalyst for wood rot, mold growth, and even severe health issues. By recognizing these signs of water damage and mold early on and addressing the root causes, you can protect your home’s structural integrity and the well-being of its occupants.

Don’t underestimate the power of prevention, and should the need arise, our team at Orange Restoration stands ready to bring over two decades of expertise to mitigate and restore your property. Stay proactive, stay informed, and let’s keep our homes resilient against the stealthy negative impact of water damage.