Water damage is among the most devastating situations a homeowner can deal with. If you’re not paying attention, it can destroy your property without you even noticing it. Therefore, this situation requires immediate intervention; otherwise, you’ll be left counting huge losses.
Unfortunately, water damage introduces other issues like mold and mildew growth to your home. Once these fungi thrive in your home, you’ll likely develop health issues like runny nose and sneezing. Mold can also cause massive damage to your property since it feeds on organic matter. Luckily, water damage doesn’t go unnoticed. If you discover the following signs, act fast since your home is under water damage and mold threat.
- Water Dripping Sound
While most water damage signs are visible, some can be heard. If you hear water dripping sounds, check out where they’re coming from before they become a menace. Water dripping sounds might come from leaky faucets or pipes under the walls. Failing to address such issues might result in severe water damage that might cost you your home. However, you can prevent this by assessing the plumbing and addressing leaks as soon as you identify them.
- Wet Or Contaminated Carpets
If your carpets are wet and you can’t explain why, check for any water sneaking toward them. Unfortunately, when carpets become wet, they provide an ideal breeding area for mold. Salvaging a water-damaged rug, especially with mold and mildew growth, isn’t a walk in the park. If your carpets are water-damaged, carpet cleaning specialists can assist in with the carpet drying process.
- Mold Growth
Mold inhibits wet areas. Therefore, its presence indicates your home is damp. Mold feeds on organic matter; hence it can quickly spread in your home and cause massive damage. It’s, therefore, vital to address mold growth immediately since it can harm your property and health.
While there are different ways to deal with mold growth, ensuring your home doesn’t experience excess moisture is the most important thing. If you discover mold growth in your home, hire a professional plumber to identify and address the source accordingly.
- Puddles Of Water
Suppose you’ve noticed water dripping sounds. In that case, you might also have discovered water puddles. If you see such signs, dry the water and check after a while if the water collects again. If it does, there’s definitely water leakage in your home, requiring an immediate solution.
- Peeling Wallpaper
Wallpaper can peel due to excess moisture or mold growth. Again, water damage and mold growth go hand in hand. If you discover a peeling wallpaper, you’re probably dealing with too much moisture that enhances mold growth. In that case, you should take the necessary precautions to reduce moisture in that specific area.
- Musty Smell From The Air Conditioner
Another sign of mold growth is a weird smell from the heating and cooling system. Standalone air conditioners, especially, are ideal mold breeding zone because they’re dark, damp, and exposed to warm temperatures when not running. Storing a standalone air conditioner in a heated area in winter can also increase the chances of mold thriving.
If you experience a strange smell from your air conditioner, mold will likely be present. Luckily, you can prevent it from developing in your air conditioners by occasionally having them checked by a professional.
- High Water Bills
Sometimes, you only notice water damage after flooding or severe damage. Water damage signs aren’t always easily noticed. In cases where water damage signs aren’t visible, you’re more likely to receive high water bills.
While high water bills don’t necessarily mean there’s water leakage in your home, there might be no reason for the bill to skyrocket, especially if you’ve done nothing to warrant the increase. It’s, therefore, essential to hire a plumber to assess your plumbing and identify the reason for unexplained higher water bills.
- Wet Or Damp Surfaces
It’s normal for bathrooms, laundry areas, and the kitchen to be slightly moist after use. However, living, dining, and bedrooms shouldn’t be wet. If you discover moisture in areas that should be dry, you might be experiencing water damage. Therefore, occasionally feel the walls around the windows and pipes to prevent unexpected severe water damage.
- Persistent Cold
A runny nose and sneezing are signs of mold growth. If your cold doesn’t seem to improve, your home might have been harboring mold for quite some time now. If your nose becomes runnier and the sneezing worsens when at home, examine your entire house to determine mold existence.
Conclusion
Water damage and mold growth go hand in hand. If your home is experiencing water leakage, the chances of mold growing in your home are high. Therefore, you must maintain your plumbing to prevent mold growth. However, if mold is already present in your home, research better ways to remove it or hire professionals for a thorough job.
