Look For Water Damage BEFORE You Move In
Whether you are buying or renting, a new home in Savannah is always exciting. You get to imagine BBQ’s in the backyard, how to place the couch, and where to hang the elk antlers (in the garage.) But one thing you need to look for prior to taking possession is existing water damage. You need to look for clues that any problems won’t reappear. We at Harper Special Services want you to protect your new place and your things by inspecting:
Walls
Water damaged walls and unsightly water stains can indicate future problems for new residents. This type of water damage tends to occur slowly, expanding over long periods of time. As a result, you may also uncover mold growth throughout the water damage restoration process. You need to determine the materials involved and investigate the damage. Common sheetrock walls actually create even more opportunities to harbor mold and mildew. Expensive plaster and paneling often can be saved, but you need to get air circulating in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills.
Ceiling
Any discoloration is a symptom of water damage at some time in the past. You will need to determine where the leak was and if it has been repaired. For example, bacteria in HVACs can collect in, clog up, and overflow from the water lines. The ceilings of the lower stories in your new home could have been damaged by upper-level plumbing leaks or flooding. Roofs have an average lifespan of 20 years, but extreme weather will shorten that. Roof flashing around chimneys or skylights, are common sources for roof leaks since they protrude from the surface of the roof to redirect the flow of water. If your roof has been compromised, water can quickly leak through, saturating the attic as well as drywall and building structure .
Basement
Basements are inherently prone to flooding. They are, by definition, built partly or entirely below ground level. More challenging to cleanup than open rooms, basements can harbor hidden moisture that leads to mold and mildew growth. Look around the basement for signs for previous problems: a broken water line, sewer backup, leaky washing machine or hurricane flooding, water in the basement always means big problems.
Flooring & Carpeting
Your new floors will give you many clues about past water damage. Hardwood floors are particularly vulnerable to water damage; the boards will warm or develop visible mold. Laminate floors will swell and “delaminate.” For porous tile floors, you need to investigate the porous grout for signs of excessive moisture. The best indication that carpets have been waterlogged is not as visible. Notice any musty smells. Also feel for any spongy spots when you walk-- that’s an indication of a water damaged subfloor.
When You Have Water Damage In Savannah
Harper Special Services is a fully licensed company who can provide you with the top water restoration service in Savannah. Whether you are looking for a restoration service by itself or a company that can provide you with the full package emergency services, debris removal, shoring, board ups to restoration, trust Harper Special Services. The quality service together with our team of experts will take care of every aspect of the water restoration project as we understand the stress you will be dealing with after such a traumatic experience.