Any signs of water damage in a house are bad news. Spotting the signs that you have a water damage restoration project ahead is critical to protecting your home. These five tips will help you stay ahead of possible water damage.

Stains

Water will find its way into all kinds of materials. Insulation, drywall, concrete, brick, and wood can all absorb water. Likewise, the water can compromise those materials or serve as an incubator for mold.

As water permeates these materials, it tends to leave behind mineral deposits. The water collects these minerals from the air, ground, and even materials. You see these deposits as stains. If the water has soaked through the structure of a house enough that you can see stains on the inside, that's a sign that major work is probably ahead.

Peeling

Water can also get behind paints, sealcoating products, and wallpaper. It often ruins the adhesive bond between these products and the wall. You will see this as peeling paint. Piece of the paint may even separate, crack, and fall off. In extreme cases, the paint may even break down into a powder.

Sagging

Water damage also adds weight to the materials of a house and softens them. Gravity then pulls on the materials, leading to sagging. Especially with ceilings, roofs, and floors, sagging is a common sign of water damage. The worst-case scenario could lead to a structural collapse so water restoration work is essential in these situations.

Reduced Water Pressure

You will not always see water damage going on in your house. Some high-quality paints and sealants are just that good. From an aesthetic standpoint, that's awesome. Practically, it can mask something like a leaking water line, busted water tank, or failed coupling.

The only sign of trouble might be an untraceable uptick in the water bill or a noticeable drop in the water pressure. If you can't trace the problem to anything specific, you should have a plumber check for the source of the issue. They may find it, and they may also tell you to contact a water damage restoration contractor.

Smells

Finally, water promotes life. However, some of those lifeforms aren't going to be easy on your sniffer. An unchecked leak can give mold, bacteria, and even fungi time to grow significantly. Their biological activities give off musty smells, and their dead material will decay and add even more foul odors.

For more information on water damage restoration, contact a professional near you.