Identifying Old vs New Water Damage

Flood damage is something that no Chicago homeowner would want to go through in their life and if it happens, the first thing you should do is not panic and determine if the damage is an existing one or is new, this in order to consider the assistance of a water restoration company in Chicago. Determining whether it is existing or new damage is extremely important as it helps you know how long the problem has been going on and how serious it is.

Therefore, here at McKinley Water Damage Restoration we will provide you with guidance regarding determining such problems in three specific conditions and the 5 crucial steps to determining how old such damage is.

How to Tell if Water Damage is New or Old
You can determine if your flood damage is old or new through the following conditions:
    • If the damage is new, it will leave a dark water mark. Besides, it is fresh when the surface feels firm.
    • If the damage is old, it will have dry water rings and the surface will feel squishy.
    • Mold and mildew that have gray or black specks will appear.

Determining the Age of Water Damage
If you want to determine the age of your water damage, use the following steps:

    1. Touch and Feel the Spot. Look for some spots with water and proceed to touch them. If the surface feels squishy and mushy, this is a clear indication that the ceiling has absorbed too much water and therefore the water damage is old.

    2. Search for Rings. Look for dark spots on the surface. If there are no spots, then the water damage is new. But if there are rings around the dark spot, then the damage is old. It should be noted at this point that if you find more rings in the area, that means that it has been a long time since the water leaked to the surface.

    3. Check and Examine the Materials. It is recommended that you check the tiles and paint on your walls and ceiling, as there is a possibility that there is trapped water. Regardless of the fact that it is a tiny spot, it is a clear indication that water damage has been there for a long time.

    4. Inspect for Any Mold. If there are signs of mold infestation, that is an indication that the water damage has lasted for two to three days.

    5. Watch Out for Decay. Generally when it comes to new water damage, the materials of the house do not deteriorate. However, if you notice deterioration in your walls or roofs, it may be that the materials have been exposed to old water damage.

Final Thoughts
Taking into account that water damage is a very common problem in the Chicago metropolitan area and its adjacent suburbs, it is important that you keep a close eye on it and if it does occur, take action. Although it may be irrelevant whether your flood problem is new or old, it is an important aspect in determining whether it requires the intervention of a flood cleanup professional.

If the problem is new, it is easy to solve; whereas if it is an old one, it may require a much more profound intervention. In these cases, consider hiring the services of McKinley Water Damage Restoration, since we have the due experience in terms of water clean up so that your home is in good condition again. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us through our phones or official website.