Water damage is a common issue homeowners deal with. The main areas of the house that are most commonly affected are the attic, if the roof leaks, or the basement, which is usually surrounded by drainage areas. Unfortunately, the attic and basement are places where water damage can be easily missed because they are not highly-frequented areas of your home.
Here are a few indicators that you may need to seek out water damage repair Parma.
Mold
Mold is the primary indicator that there is moisture lingering in your basement. Sometimes the mold is easy to see, such as black mold on wood. Other times it may not be in an area that is visible to the naked eye.
Musty Smell
A musty odor is also a telling sign of water damage. Even if you can’t see any visible mold, if you notice a musty scent, the odds are there is mold growing somewhere.
Staining
Water stains are another warning sign of water seepage. In some cases, the stain could be a one-time occurrence, such as a window left open during a rainstorm. However, those spots should be monitored closely to ensure mold doesn’t begin to grow.
Peeling Paint
When wood or plaster gets wet, the material expands. If there is paint on the surface, the expansion and contraction of the material underneath could lead to peeling paint.
Rotten Materials
Cracking or crumbling areas of wood, plaster, or cement can also indicate the presence of moisture. For example, cracks in your wall can allow water to seep in, which can freeze in some cases, causing the cracks to widen. Eventually, this can lead to the degradation of wall materials.
If you’ve noticed any of the above signs of water damage in your basement, you must call a professional immediately. Not only can mold be damaging to your home, but it can also be harmful to your health, which is why prompt mold removal is imperative.
