BARTZ CONSTRUCTION

Has your home sustained water damage due to a storm, or from broken pipes or appliances?

Water damage is one of the most common problems that people experience in their homes. Water may come in from heavy rains through a leak in your roof, from appliance failures, such as washing machines, dishwashers or ice makers, or from major fire extinguishing efforts. 

And, an important fact to know is that the longer the water sits over time, the worse the damage becomes. Immediately addressing your water problems can often save you hundreds of dollars in damage repair costs!

Most often, water damage comes from leaks in existing pipes or drainage problems. Some signs that you may have this type of water damage:

Standing water on the floor. The most obvious sign of impending water damage are pools of water on the floor, most usually in the kitchen. These pools of water indicate that there's a continuous leak somewhere and it has been escaping the normal process of evaporation. If you've already mopped up standing water on your floor and then find some again the next couple of days, then start looking for leaks or drips. You can mop all you want but if you don't fix the source of the problem, your floor will accumulate more and more damage.

Indicators in the house's structure. If your floor begins to buckle slightly, then water is probably present. The reason for this is that vinyl floors are laid over particleboard underlayment that absorbs water and then swells up. If you have hardwood floors, water cups up around the tongue-and-groove joints. The most common area where water damage is seen is the bathroom in front of the tub or shower --- the damage can occur from splashing or where people step in and out with dripping feet. Keep an eye out for any buckling.  For drywall, check for a discolored or a slightly swollen appearance since drywall softens and then breaks down.

Appearance of stains. Next to standing water, the appearance of stains in several parts of your house is a good indication that you have a leak or water encroachment somewhere. The stains may appear:

• Around the windows or on the bottom of the exterior doors, indicating that the water is coming from the outside.
• At the joint between the exterior wall and the ceiling --- this can also mean an ice-damming problem.
• Anywhere in the ceiling --- usually an indication of a roof leak, unless you have installed water lines in your attic. If you see stains on your ceiling, remember that it does not mean the leak is right above it. Usually, it originates higher and just drips down.
• In cabinets that house a sink --- an indication of a leak in the sink drain system or from the trap.
• Where there are mildew and mold stains. While not certain proof of a leak, the presence of mildew or molds indicates moisture. In a bathroom where moisture is prevalent, it's an indication that you just don't have enough ventilation to rid the room of mildew. If you see them at the bottom of an exterior wall, it might mean that water is coming in. In closets or places where there is little or no air circulation present, it could mean an overly damp crawl space.
  

Water damage from a storm.

Feel free to call with any questions regarding a possible water damage problem in your house.

Greg Bartz, General Contractor: (cell)763-300-1945