Did your home suffer flood damage following Hurricane Harvey and are you still struggling to remedy the damages? By this time, most homeowners have repaired the major issues to the home and cleaned up the carpet and flooring; however, there may be signs that water damage is still hiding in your home.
In this article we will outline where to look to see if your home still has water damage, how to prevent water damage in the future, and what to do if you feel a financial burden with all of the upcoming necessary repairs.
The Hidden Damage
You may think that water damage is an obvious problem. However, the truth is that signs of water damage can often be hidden in the walls and under your floor boards. To determine if you have current water damage, try looking for the following changes in your home’s interior.
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Changes in Texture
Take a look around the rooms to see if the walls or ceilings have any noticeable changes in texture. The most common changes that can be seen include: warping, which is caused by changes in humidity and temperature; sagging or sinking, which can be a result of rotting wood; or, expansion, which can be caused by swelling of wood because of too much water.
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Discoloration
If you see any walls, ceilings, or floors with slight discoloration, you may have a continued problem from water damage. Stains can appear yellow, brown, or copper in color, or may present as peeling paint or wallpaper.
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Odor
The most obvious, but sometimes the most challenging to pinpoint, is odor caused by water damage. This generally means that the mold has been accumulating for some time and represents a more severe issue, such as damage to the foundation of the home.
All three of these may be clear signs that your home is still suffering flood damage. Despite efforts to resolve the issues previously, the ongoing hassle of water damage can be quite a financial burden. If you are uncertain if there is still damage in your home try checking the most common places water damage can hide. These areas include ceilings, walls, floors, exterior walls, the foundation, and in or around appliances.
How to Prevent Future Water Damage
If you are lucky enough to have resolved the issues related to water damage, you may want to take the following steps to ensure that the next rainstorm does not bring on more problems to your property. Unfortunately, homes that suffer from more than one account of water damage can drop drastically in value.
- Repair any cracks in the walls, patios, decks or driveways. This will remove the chance of water leaking into any unwanted places.
- Ensure your property is graded so that the next rainfall has a place to drain.
- Check your window seals to guarantee water will not leak in.
- Regularly clean your gutters.
- Get your roof checked. This is one of the costliest repairs if damage occurs and can have the most impact on the interior of your home.
- Hire a licensed plumber to ensure all plumbing in the home is safe and secure.
These few simple steps can help you keep your home safe from the next rainstorm.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the current or potential water damage of your home?
As mentioned, water damage can drastically reduce the value of your home. If it has affected the foundation, it may be challenging to find a potential buyer in the future when you try to sell. Plus, if there is a second round of damage, you may become upside down on the home.
We have actually found that most homeowners who have had water damage to their home benefit most by moving to a new home that is newly constructed and storm ready. We have helped many homeowners in their transition by purchasing their old homes “as-is” – this is, we allow homeowners to avoid repairs and upgrades by purchasing the homes in their current conditions.
We understand the frustrations that homeowners endured following the last major storm, and we are helping people prepare for the next one. Through our all cash buying platform we are able to provide homeowners an assessment for their homes value and bid a competitive offer on their home, ultimately assisting them in their next step to a safe and secure house. If you are interested in selling your home “as-is” and in reducing your stress, contact us today.
