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Water damage is a nightmare for any property owner. Property related water damage concerns should be addressed at the earliest.

A water damage spot can be caused by prolonged condensation or leaks. You often see water spots on the ceiling, if the scenario is left unchecked, it can easily deteriorate the ceiling, which can lead to sags and collapses. This makes it important to foresee and take precautionary steps to repair water damage early.

The ability to tell the age of water damage can play a crucial role on many occasions, especially when you are planning to purchase a house. This blog features some tips and tricks that will help you to identify the age of water damage.

Touch and tell

You can usually touch and tell the age of the water spot. If the spot seems to be wet, you can assume that the water damage or leak is fairly new or at least a week old.

On the flip side, if spot feels mushy to touch, it indicates that the spot or the leak has been around for months. This usually happens when the ceiling or the drywall encounter a leak and is saturated with water over time.

Color

Color can be another major giveaway of the age of water damage. If the water damage spot is characterized by a single dark spot with a colorless perimeter, you can presume that the area has been going through a cycle of leaks and dryness.

The number of rings on this occasion can be a good indicator of the age, more the number of rings, more would be age.

Spot size

Look for the size of the spot while taking into consideration the affected material in question. While considering the material in question, you cannot assume that larger size or more the number of rings, the older will be the damage. This is because the how each material displays water damage signs vary with respect to the density or other physical aspects o the material. 

For instance, a material like a tile does not let water pass through easily, therefore even a small spot on the tile might indicate a longstanding buildup of water.

Signs of mold

Mold can be the next best indicator for calculating the age of water damage. Look for signs of mold growth. Moisture creates a favorable atmosphere for mold growth. Materials like drywall and carpeting are vulnerable to mold growth.

If you observe mold growth, you can assume that the water spot is at least two to three days old. Also, consider the climatic condition while using this sign to calculate the age of water damage. For instance, mold growth can be slow in cold and freezing conditions as opposed to hot and humid areas.

Decay

Any decay to the structure is another indicator of repeated water damage or exposure to flooding. Here as well, you need to consider the temperature and humidity of the location while calculating the age of the water damage.

Perform an inspection while keeping these factors in mind to identify the age of water damage in your house or property under consideration.

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