How can you detect water damage in your home? Water damage is one problem which can often be caught only after the damage has begun. It is not like spotting a hornet and killing it before it can build a nest. You can’t predict or think about a leaking pipe until it makes its effects clear. With that said, it is possible to spot some signs of water damage before it’s too late. Early detection can lead to early repair and recovery. Delaying water damage repairs will lead to other problems and high costs for you. Water damage should not be underestimated. It is a common yet highly damaging condition for most homes and offices. Here are some common signs of water damage which you should look out for. Dripping Ceiling A dripping ceiling is one of the most obvious signs of water damage. A dripping ceiling can mean one of two things: there is either a crack or gap on your roof through which rainwater has entered or the piping running through your ceiling might have leaked. Both problems are troublesome and should be treated at the earliest. Dark and Wet Ceiling Spots If you see a darkened portion of your ceiling, it indicates water seepage in most cases. The water may not have built up to the extent that it begins to drip. These ceiling spots often times permanently stain ceilings and fade the paint. They are an apparent sign of some leak in piping or plumbing. Peeling Paint or Wallpaper We told you that water damage doesn’t make itself apparent in many cases. This situation is one of those cases. You may not notice water leaking in a wall when it is covered with paint or wallpaper. You will only realize much later when paint begins to fade or the wallpaper begins to peel. The paint will become bloated as the water forces it off the wall and dries off. Water also weakens the adhesive used to stick wallpaper and causes it to come off and curl. Increased Moisture and Dampness Water damage also has an impact on your house’s internal environment. It affects temperature and humidity. Water damage raises the moisture level in your house. You may feel more dampness in water damaged rooms like a cold, clammy, and wet stickiness on your skin. Pooling Water Pooling water indicates that plumbing issues are the source of your water damage. Look for pooled water near the base of pipes or underneath any connection points. Connecting points are often the most susceptible to leakage due to expansion and contraction. Mold Growth If you have mold growth in your house, then your house has most likely been damaged by water in some way or the other. Water damage is almost always followed by mold growth and means the problem had been going on for a long time. Mold requires damp and wet conditions to grow. Water damage creates the perfect environment for mold spores to grow. Conclusion Contact Service Team of Professionals (STOP) in case you spot any water damage. Our experts will ascertain the signs and presence of water damage. Quick and efficient recovery and repair is our goal. Visit our website for more information on our services.