Don’t Trust the Smell: How to Spot Invisible Water Damage After a Storm

You might be having to stagger your way through a full-blown flood or shield yourself from a drip in the ceiling but, sadly, that doesn’t mean your home has gone through a storm without suffering any water damage. If one or two areas of home maintenance have gone neglected, then the number of things that can go wrong is extensive; just think about how many different elements – pipes, appliances, faucets – make up your house’s water system, as well as the amount of potential entry points for the rain to creep in. And left undetected, it’s the less obvious stuff that can end up wreaking the most havoc in terms of repairs, and costs, further down the line. Here, we’ll teach you how to spot some of the tell-tale signs you might be dealing with more than you first assumed, hopefully making the ensuing storm damage restoration project far more manageable…

Even if your interior walls feel dry to the touch, it’s worth taking a good look around your house to see if there are any signs of discoloration anywhere. If you notice something that wasn’t there before, especially if it’s yellow or brown in color, there’s a very good chance water has seeped into your walls, either from a damaged roof or leaky pipe. And though it might appear to be little more than an aesthetic issue to begin with, it can gradually turn into something far worse, causing structural degradation and posing certain health risks, which can arise as a result of mold and mildew.

A good place to start when it comes to inspecting your floors for invisible water damage after a storm is to walk around your property barefoot; not only will you quickly pick up on any dampness, you’ll also recognize whether any areas feel a little different to how they did before. If you’ve a wood or vinyl floor, which is liable to start swelling as a result of water damage, pay close attention to any slight buckles or small warps. Parts of your floor might also feel a little bouncy or soft, indicating a problem with your subfloor which, left untreated, can undermine the structural integrity of an entire room. Wherever you go, make sure you take a look under rugs, furniture and appliances, too.

When it comes to hidden dangers in the wake of storm damage affecting your home, few things are as disconcerting as the idea of water penetrating your electrical system. The repercussions can be minor as well as major, ranging from malfunctioning appliances to the risk of an electric shock or even a fire. You obviously don’t want to allow it to get anywhere near that point, so look out for discoloration or rust around outlets and switches, and if you’re suddenly dealing with flickering lights or frequent breaker trips, it’s time to take action and call in a professional to help. In the meantime, you can shut down the power supply to the area in question.

As the title suggests, you shouldn’t always be guided by your nose when it comes to noticing water damage following a storm; instead, you should be bringing all of your senses into play. If you’ve had a good look around your house and you’re concerned you have indeed encountered one or two signs of water damage, listening for a dripping or running sound can help you confirm your suspicions. It could be the result of a leaky roof, cracked pipe or possibly even a clogged gutter. If it’s the latter you’re dealing with, you can probably carry out most of the fix yourself, but trying to put a stop to drips caused by other issues is going to be far harder on your own.

It might take a week or two for you to become aware, but a sharp spike in your monthly water bill is a pretty strong indication that something might have gone awry – especially if your usage has been remaining consistent. You can verify that you’re dealing with water damage by turning off your water and then taking a look at your meter; if it continues to move, you know for sure there’s a leak somewhere. If it’s already gotten that far, it’s unlikely you’ll then be able to identify the source of the problem immediately, but it’s worth carrying out another check of both the interior and exterior of your property to see if you can narrow it down. In the end, though, you’ll almost certainly have to call on an expert for assistance.

Even taking all of the above into account, it’s best not to leave anything to chance when it comes to potential water damage inside your home. Because the longer it takes to address it, the more severe the consequences will be. As Southeastern Michigan’s leading restoration provider, X-Cel Restoration has seen it all when it comes to water damage and we can help you get on top of a problem before it spirals out of control. If you’re worried about possible water intrusion following a storm, don’t hesitate to reach out to us – we’re here for you 24/7.