Hello, my name is Iggy and I live in Perth, Australia. Last month, I was out in my garden enjoying the sunshine when I noticed that there was something strange on my roof. I climbed up onto the roof of my home and discovered some damage. While I was up on the roof, I took a long look down at my garden. Seeing it from such a strange angle made me realise how overgrown it looked. The next day I called in some contractors to fix the problems. While they worked, they taught me plenty of cool tips and tricks.
The threat of water damage can pose a grave danger to your property. Water damage can be brought about by many factors: among them poor plumbing and lack of proper maintenance. At other times, water damage is simply a consequence of old architecture due to the nature of building materials used back then. Luckily, most cases of water damage can be treated through an array of options. The important first step for you, however, is to know that you have water damage in your property.
Crumbling or rotting floor boards
One of the first areas to get affected by moisture in your home is the floors. This is because the floors are your first line of defense from underground rising damp. In such a scenario, your wood floors will start to crumble, rot or warp due to the effects of the moisture. If you have a basement, chances are the water damage there would be progressed at this stage. However, note that rising damp is just but one way moisture can affect your home. In concrete floors, water damage may cause settling as well.
Peeling, cracking, wrinkling or chipping plaster
Walls can get moisture damage due to various reasons. It can be as a result of rising damp from below ground, condensation or even penetrating water from outside. You only start to notice the water damage when the moisture starts accumulating around your inner walls. The water damage at this point will be visible through peeled plaster, cracking plaster or wrinkling paintwork/wallpaper.
Water marks
Another common way to point out water damage on your property is through water marks. Water marks present themselves when water has been present on your walls or ceiling for quite some time. In most cases, water marks appear as black or dark brown stains. In other cases, the spots may appear rusty if the water has been in contact with metal fixtures.
Mold or algae growth
Another credible way to identify the need for remedial waterproofing in your premises is if you notice mold or algae growth anywhere on your ceiling, walls (inner and outer), or basement surfaces. Mold and algae grow in damp areas and always point to high moisture levels. The more mold or algae you notice in your property, the longer your water damage problem has been in existence.
The sooner you notice these water damage signs and get remedial waterproofing services, the better. Technicians will test the affected areas for moisture levels before deciding on the best remedial action to take. This may include silicone injections, installation of plasterboards, ventilation or addition of waterproofing concrete among other waterproofing techniques.
Share21 April 2015
