For a property owner, water damage to their residential property can be the biggest headache and the hardest thing to contain.

Not identifying the symptoms early and overlooking the obvious signs of water damage can cost you big bucks and effort in the long run.

One of the key factors to eradicating any potential cause for water damage or resolving the issue at the very beginning is to understand what to look for.

This post features a list of things that you should be keeping an eye out for to identify any potential signs of water damage to your house that can cause havoc in the future.

Musty odor

Feeling of elevated humidity or dampness within the interiors of your house is a strong sign of water damage. Both these signs are accompanied by a musty odor.

The dampness and humidity level second mold growth which in turn produces the musty odor. Consider this as an ideal sign of water damage in bathrooms. The smell can be strong around the areas where water damage exists.

The water damage related musty smell is similar to that of wet paper or cardboard boxes. Old houses might have such odors, especially in the attic or basement. However, keep an eye out for any sudden changes in the smell accompanied by seasonal changes.

Appearance of mold

Stain or mold dominated walls and ceilings are always a sign of water damage. The mold growth or stain has an epic center which signifies the origin of the water damage.

You can commonly observe this sign near laundry rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms that accounts for major water usage in the house.

The moist surface provides the perfect environment for mold growth, which in turn can affect your health in addition to causing structural damage to the house.

Appearance changes to ceiling, walls and flooring

When water damage is on the cards, you can observe dry walls or ceilings being flaky or bubbly. These conditions, if left unchecked, can become bloated or swollen and respond malleable to touch.

Wet flooring is another sign of water damage which is easily overlooked. The corners of rooms which are hardly used can house molds and even cause irreversible damage to the sub-flooring if left unattended for too long.

Outdated water supply system

The outdated water supply system is one of the major giveaways to residential water damage. While the pipes itself is reliable, the connections and faucets can be the major culprits.

This is why it is highly recommended to perform a water supply system inspection on a yearly basis. Consider cutting off the source of water supply when you are out of town for long periods. You might need regular maintenance and checkups for appliances like furnaces and air conditioning.

High utility bill

It is not always possible to identify water damage, especially with a big house with multiple attics. A sudden surge in utility bill is an ideal indicator of water damage on such occasions.

Ensure that you check the visible pipelines and faucets in the house for any leaks. If you fail to find any leaks in the visible areas, consider the possibility of water damage inside walls.

How to tell if water damage is new or old can be tricky. You might need extensive experience, professional tools and time to figure this out. This is where you can consider contacting a certified water damage restoration company.

Walk around your house with this checklist on a monthly basis to identify water damage at its earliest stage.