Water may seem innocent to some, but it won’t take much water to damage your home. The danger of water is usually underestimated in its potential to do damage, which is why it’s very important to look for early warning signs.

Besides standing water, water marks and stains are the most noticeable indicator for water damage. If you come across any marks in the following areas, you should conduct a thorough analysis to find the source of the problem and make required repairs to avoid expensive future restoration costs.

Ceiling

Water stains and marks on the joint between the ceiling and exterior wall might be a sign of a possible roof leak or an ice dam problem. Water stains and marks along the ceiling could indicate a possible roof leak, unless you have water lines that run in the attic.

Windows and Doors

Any water that is penetrating the structure from the outside may sometimes leave water marks and stains around windows or at the bottom of exterior doors and indicates that a repair needs to be made.

Structural Symptoms

There are signs for water damage occurring in building materials called structural symptoms, and by identifying these signs and detecting water problems on time you will prevent replacing building materials and a possible reconstruction needs.

Floors

If you can see buckling of you wood floor, you may have water inside the floor since wood floors absorb water. High-risk areas for floor water damage are around the dishwasher, and the refrigerator in the kitchen because these appliances have both a water supply line and a drain line that can leak. The bathroom is another high-risk area since there are many water sources there. You should occasionally check the floor around the toilet and in front of the tub or shower, where water damage can occur from the day-to-day use.

Drywall and Sheetrock

Soft and broken drywall and sheetrock is an indicator for water damage. Another indicator to identify water damaged drywall is when it is discolored and slightly swollen. You should also note that these indicators are usually found in the same areas as the water stains and buckled floors.