SERVPRO Is Here To Help Spot Water Damage Pt 2

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Here are six simple ways to spot potential water damage in a commercial building: 

Pooling/Standing Water 

A pool of water can indicate an indoor leak or a burst pipe or several issues related to water damage. If you notice moisture or water collecting in any area that doesn’t go away or gets more extensive, you may have a leak or seepage somewhere. There may also be times you see water pooling in areas of your lawn. If you see this, it may indicate a rise in the level of groundwater usually after heavy rainfall or a burst pipe underground, which could result in significant foundation water damage. 

Smell

Areas that have been exposed to moisture for long periods tend to have a very distinct musky, moldy odor. If you notice any spaces in your building or business that have the strange smell of mold or moisture, you may have water damage somewhere not immediately visible. The IICRC trained professionals here at SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta are trained to clean, sanitize, and deodorize your commercial building after water damage resulting in a lasting odor. 

Coldness

Frequently along with the musky smell, areas that are damaged by water are usually noticeably cooler than other areas due to moisture in the walls and other materials evaporating. If there are colder areas around your building or business that are cooler than others, check for some of these other signs of water damage as well to determine if you may have a leak or seepage somewhere. 

Discoloration 

A very easy to spot indicator of water damage is discoloration of materials like the walls and ceilings of your property. Standing water in a ceiling will eventually seep through the insulation and drywall and leave a yellowish stained spot where the water has collected. Over time these areas can sag if they’re large enough and even collapse if enough water has collected and sat long enough. 

Mold 

Many sources of moisture can cause mold, and things such as bathroom condensation may cause mold that wouldn’t be extensive enough to require water damage restoration. However, mold in any area of your building is any indicator that there is too much-standing moisture that needs to be removed. Our professional technicians here at SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta are specially trained in water damage restoration. They can adequately locate and remove all sources of mold in your building or business. 

Sound 

The final and more subtle sign of water damage to your property is sound. While sounds of moving water, dripping, and creaking may all be sounds of a perfectly normal plumbing system. It is essential to keep an ear out for changes in typical sounds to identify if there are any problems with your plumbing system or if there is a leak somewhere in your building or business. 

In the event your building or basement floods, it is best to contact a company of professionals to respond quickly and adequately to help the situation. Give us here at SERVPRO of Downtown Atlanta a call at (404) 835-0200 for any water damage restoration emergency, and we will respond right away.