We've talked about all different kinds of issues that come up in the home: attic smells, mold infestations, air quality, and so much more. We've even covered responding to water damage, and the best way to treat the most common water damage issues. To get some insights on which warning signs require what treatments, check out the lists below to know how to tell the difference between old water damage and new water damage.

Recognizing new water damage might be more difficult that you'd assume at first. A musty, damp smell might tip you off that there's a leak somewhere, but if the water isn't settling in an obvious area, you might have to go on a hunt. Here are a few places to check for water if you're concerned about water damage, or just recently had heavy rains in your area:

• Basement and Attic. This is the first place to check, because usually these spaces are left alone, which means water damage can go unnoticed. If you've had a rainstorm and are worried that there might be some unwanted water in your home, check out your attic and basement, and set up some fans to dry it out while you wait for help.
• Floor Corners. Another spot that will quickly tell you whether there's water getting into your home is the corners of your rooms, specifically the flooring. You might notice dampness in an otherwise dry room, which is a sure sign water damage in on the way.
• Walls. This is a more obvious sign, but if the paint on your walls start bubbling and peeling, you should probably take note. Be sure to check the walls in rooms that you spend less time in.

Characteristics of Old Water Damage

Here are a few things you might notice if you're dealing with old water damage, or repeated water damage.

• Mold. If the damage goes untreated, you're going to end up having a mold problem.
• Staining and Rings. While new water damage will be harder to spot, old water damage will have clear, dark stains, often made more obvious because of multiple, back-to-back incidents of water damage following the same path into the home.
• Softening. Finally, you're going to notice a softness to the structure of surfaces that have been damaged for a long time, whether it's the flooring, wood beams, or the drywall. 

BioClean

1. Whether you're dealing with new water damage, or a home that has been damaged throughout the years, contact us to get the help you need to protect your home from water damage.