We all know that major water leaks can be incredibly damaging to out property and leave us with an expensive to repair bill. You know the ones… where water is spouting out at every direction, everything just ends up drenched, and you fear you may need a canoe to get through it. Well, did you know that even tiny, seemingly minor water leaks can do just a much damage?
When Small Water Leaks Leave Ohio Homeowners with a Big Water Damage Problem
It can be difficult to imagine that a few little droplets of water can do much damage. The truth is a single droplet of water can be deceptively harmless. The power of a small water leak is depend upon time and difficult detection. Small water leaks can develop into such big problems because small water leaks are usually difficult to detect. Water does not come rushing in with most smaller and more minor water leaks, instead they allow water to drip in and slowly fill the surrounding areas, making the leak hard to notice at first. This affords the droplets of water time to fill up and wreak havoc on your home’s foundation, floors, ceiling, attic and more, until you are left with widespread water damage, structural damage and potential mold development.
All too often, by the time Cleveland homeowners notice a slow water leak, even time has already passed and allowed the leak to completely saturate the surrounding building materials. Often times, the first signs of a small water leak presents as peeling wallpaper, blistering paint, water staining, bowing ceiling, warped walls or other visible damage to your building materials.
Assessing For Small, Slow Leaks in Your Cleveland OH Property
No matter how unfortunate, dealing with water leaks is just an inevitable part of home-ownership in Cleveland Ohio. The key to protecting your property will be early detect and immediate action. The best way to combat small water leaks is by paying attention to the signs of hidden water damage. When it comes to small water leaks, water intrusion will typically manifest visible signs — homeowners just need to know what to look for.
If you experience any of the following, it may be time to contact a professional water damage specialist to assess the problem and make the proper repairs:
- Staining & discoloration
- Peeling wall or ceiling finishes
- Swelling of building materials
- Sweating Walls
- Swollen door casing or door alignment
- Baseboards/trim separating from the wall
- Sagging walls and ceilings
- Floor effects
- Visible mold growth
- Musty or damp odors
- General feeling of dampness
When assessing for potential small leaks, start with the obvious, easy to access areas of your Ohio property – look behind cabinets, under basins and areas of accessible plumbing. Homeowners should inspect all accessible connections at the water heater, pumps, washing machine hoses and valves for oxidation or discoloration. You should consider having a professional do an annual inspection of your home to check for water leaks or potential problems. If you suspect a small water leak anywhere in your plumbing system, call in a professional to make a repair as soon as possible. Do not wait until it gets worse and leaves you with serious water damage or other problems.
Small Water Leaks & Major Water Damage
No matter the size of the water leak, it needs to be properly addressed in a timely manner in order to prevent major water damage. If you notice suspicious signs that could indicate a small water leak, do not dismiss the signs. Unfortunately, in some cases, leak detection may be difficult. Slow water leaks can go undetected and unaddressed for extended periods of time. With time, water buildup can lead to serious water damage and potential problems like indoor mold growth. In situations where a small water leak is hidden by building materials, it may be too late when you finally see the signs and find the leak. By the time water has saturated your building materials enough to be visible, there is likely significant hidden water damage waiting to be uncovered.
Water damage often requires the attention of a professional restoration company who will have the necessary tools and experience provide a safe and effective cleanup. If you uncover a slow water leak that has left behind significant damage, the trained restoration experts of Water Extraction Team (WET) can help. Our water damage cleanup specialists will properly remove any non-salvageable materials, complete a thorough dry out and provide an effective cleanup to restore your property. In the event that long term water damage as caused significant mold development, our expert mold removal team will perform a safe and effective mold remediation to restore a clean and safe environment for you and your family.
