Becoming a homeowner is an extremely rewarding and proud moment in anyone’s life – no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve achieved. It’s a sign of growth, success, and stability as you advance in this world – something that should be celebrated.
While owning a home comes with a number of benefits, it also comes with a lot of responsibility and accountability. If you’re a first-time homeowner, it’ll likely take a while before you realize just how much responsibility is needed, but experienced homeowners are well-prepared for this.
Of all the things that can happen inside or outside your home, one of the worst is water or mold damage. It can occur at any moment, isn’t always obvious, and can be caused by just about anything – making the detection, diagnosis, and treatment process extremely frustrating.
So, where is water damage the most prevalent?
As you can likely imagine, water damage is most prevalent in areas where water is present. This includes rooms with plumbing fixtures and rooms with appliances hooked up to the main water line, but also includes areas where water might find its way in the home from outside.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the rooms that are most prone to water damage:
- Kitchen –home to the refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, and all-day cooking. Just think about all the spills you’ve had in your kitchen in the past week alone. We’ve all been there!
- Bathroom –home to the toilet, sink, shower, bathtub, and plumbing throughout. Not only is the bathroom a common place for water damage, but mold damage as well.
- Laundry Room – home to the washing machine, which is connected to the main water line. Many people experience a leak in the laundry room, even if it’s a slow one.
- Mud Room –this is where most people transition from the outdoors to the indoors. During the winter months and the rainy days, water can and will find its way inside.
- Basement – even more so than the mud room, the basement is one of the biggest culprits of water damage. Even worse, most people ignore the warning signs!
When you sit back and think about it, your entire home runs on water. If you were to rip out the drywall throughout your home, you would find plumbing all over the place. Where there’s plumbing, there’s the possibility of water damage – if not right now, then likely in the future.
How to Detect Water Damage in the Home
Much like anything in life, the early detection of water damage is the best way to ensure a quick diagnosis and proper treatment. The earlier you spot the damage, the earlier you can contact a professional to find the source of the problem, fix it, and restore it back to its original condition.
Let’s take a look at some of our most prominent tips and warning signs to look out for when detecting water damage in the home:
- Take a flashlight and get a good look at the plumbing in your home. You never know when you might spot a leak.
- Inspect your appliances often, preferably while cleaning them. Be on the lookout for signs of water damage.
- If you notice discolored, cracked, peeling, bubbling, or warped drywall, inspect the area for water damage.
- If you notice your ceiling or floor buckling, there’s likely water damage.
- If you hear the sound of a leak, such as a dripping noise, find the source of it immediately.
- Inspect your roof, exterior windows, and exterior doors for damage. Water will find its way inside if there’s a crack.
- If you smell something funky and can’t figure out what it is, there could be excess mold in the home.
- If you notice a sudden increase in your water bill, there could be a leak somewhere.
Finding water damage in your home can completely ruin your day, especially depending on how significant the damage is. Despite how frustrating this might be, it’s important not to panic. Instead, take a deep breath and think positive thoughts – there’s always a way to restore it!
How to Diagnose Water Damage in the Home
Once water damage is detected, the next step in the recovery process is diagnosing the root of the problem. This is crucial to disaster restoration because it allows you to prevent the issue from happening again. If you don’t solve the problem at its source, it’ll eventually make a return.
Let’s take a look at some of our most prominent tips and things to consider when diagnosing water damage in your home:
- Use a flashlight to help see in dark areas.
- Use a moisture meter to determine problem areas in the home.
- Use a thermal camera to find the source of the problem.
- If you need to cut a hole in the drywall to see behind it, cut out a small section (it’s easy to repair).
Most people’s first instinct is to find a temporary fix and save the problem for another day. Unfortunately, this often results in far more damage and frustration than necessary. Remember, time is of the essence when dealing with water damage – so take action as soon as possible.
How to Treat Water Damage in the Home
You’ve detected the water damage, you’ve diagnosed the problem, and now it’s time to treat it with quality and proven restoration techniques. When done correctly, you can return your home back to its original condition, as if you never experienced water damage in the first place.
Let’s take a look at some of our most prominent tips and things to consider when it comes to water damage restoration in Denver:
- Open windows and run any fans you have in the home to begin the drying process.
- Use air scrubbers to purify the air of any allergens, mold, etc.
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in the home.
- Salvage anything that can be fixed or restored, but trash whatever’s too damaged.
- Contact a restoration company to complete the restoration process.
The detection, diagnosis, and restoration process can be extremely daunting for the average homeowner. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. With the help of a certified and experienced restoration team, you don’t have to lift a finger when restoring your damaged home.
Contact Restoration 1 of Central Denver Today!
At Restoration 1 of Central Denver, we take pride in our ability to serve the Denver community with quality and reliable water damage restoration services. In fact, we also specialize in fire and smoke damage, mold remediation, sewage cleanup, disinfecting services, and much more.
In regards to water damage repair in Denver, our certified experts utilize the most advanced and proven equipment in the industry to ensure a job well-done. We understand that time is of the essence and our primary goal is to get your home back up and running as soon as possible.
If you’ve recently detected water damage and need help diagnosing the problem or need a quality water damage restoration company in Denver, contact us today. We also specialize in mold removal and have years of experience with commercial properties.