Warning Signs of Water Damage in Your New Home

When you are looking for a house, there is an overwhelming variety of factors to consider. But, you might not have had water damage in mind. Often, the previous homeowner might have overlooked a moisture accumulation issue that needed to be addressed. You don’t want to make the same mistake. Whether you are narrowing down your options between houses or you just moved in, here are some signs of water damage that you should be aware of.

Smells

Often water damage can be hard to detect because it hides in parts of the house that most people don’t go, like the dark corners of the basement. But your nose can be the best tool to locate signs of water damage. If a room smells musty or like mildew, that most likely means that water accumulation has occurred. In most cases, mildew in itself is an easy enough problem to fix as long as there isn’t further underlying water damage. If you are house shopping and notice the scent mildew, then it’s worth asking about it. 

Discoloration

Water damage might not always lead to mold growth, but it can create other equally-inconvenient problems. It is common to see discoloration on walls and ceilings where water damage occurred. The discoloration could look like a spreading wet spot, or it can include streaks, like brown from rust. Discoloration means that water has saturated the walls, which may require replacing them.

Mold

One of the most obvious signs of water damage is mold. You can see it as blotches or spots across a wall in various colors. Black mold is especially infamous for containing toxic spores, although not all times are as dangerous. Like mildew, mold can usually be taken care of without too much problem as long as it is only at the surface. However, extensive mold can decay a wall and even weaken structural elements, and severe mold is more often than not a sign of significant water accumulation problems. Mold in a house doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker, but you should be prepared for some cost involved in resolving the issue.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today for Your Waterproofing Needs!

If you are ready to get a professional to waterproof your home’s basement, contact All Aspects Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420. To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Houzz.