Water damage can happen in many ways, sometimes it occurs naturally, like the rain, and other times it can occur from leaking appliances upon the floor or walls. The more damage that occurs, the higher the cost of the repair.  It is important to keep a watch out for signs of water damage and make sure to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Here are 7 signs of water damage you should look for on your property.

1. Excess of Water

Some materials just get softer in standing water because they are not made to withstand water or are too porous. Wood and some types of brick are great examples. Often these materials will get moldy, soft or just break apart. Of course, this does not always happen overnight, but when exposed for long periods of time, water damage can become a big problem.

2. Visible leakage

If the wall or floor has water seeping from somewhere, obvious there will be some damage expected. It could be from a busted pipe or a leak in your outdoor waterproofing system.

3. Discoloration

Normal drinking water from the faucet, despite the fact that it is clean for human consumption, has many chemicals in it, including some metals. This can often be from piping from the water line that were dislodged by the water. Water erodes everything, including metal, so it is not uncommon to see discoloration from water that has settled in one place for an extended period of time.

4. Mold

If an area that has standing water is in a dark and damp area, mold might be growing.  Mold is an indicated that a contractor or specialist should be called out because the hazard mold can cause to ones health. It is often green, orange, white or black. Sometimes depending on whether other types of plant life can grow in unwanted places, however any type of plant growing on your deck usually is not a good sign.

5. Dampness

If an area that normally is suppose to be dry, is even the slightest bit damp for unknown reasons, it might be best to see what is going on. On the flip, if you deck is in a perpetually damp area it is a good idea to keep a close eye.

6. Smell

As mentioned with mold, water damage might smell. It may smell metallic because of water pipes or musty because of mold growth.

7. Material affected is either softened or broken down

If a wall or flooring is soft, it is best to investigate if it was causes by water damage or some other means. Of course, if the affected area is soft and damp, it is definitely water damaged.

If you are unsure of whether a part of your property has water damage, it is best to get in touch with Prestige Deck Coatings, a specializing waterproofing contractor. Prestige offers complimentary consultations and has all the experience to diagnose a problem accurately and effectively.