1. Musty odors

One of the first signs of water damage is the presence of musty odors, and it's usually the first thing that homeowners notice. When water is absorbed by the wood, drywall, insulation, and other structural materials, mold starts to grow and emits a musty odor. As the mold spreads, so does the odor, and it will only grow stronger over time until you call for a water damage restoration serviceto deal with the problem.

If you smell something musty or distinctly 'moldy' in certain parts of your home, do not gnore it. Mold can be extremely dangerous to your health. If you suspect that mold is growing behind your walls, call in a professional immediately.

2. Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper

If there is a water leak behind your walls, the moisture will cause the paint or wallpaper to peel or bubble up. Thus, it is imperative that you address the problem as soon as possible. Repainting or reapplying wallpaper, on top of fixing the water leak, can become very expensive as the moisture spreads all around the walls of your house.

3. Deformed ceilings, floors, and walls

Hidden leaks are notorious for posing safety risks as they are for causing costly structural damages. If there are hidden leaks behind walls, over ceilings, or under floors, the excess moisture will cause the material to warp and cause changes to the structure. These changes can affect other parts of the home even if they are not affected by water damage, which can pose a safety risk as they can collapse at any time.

If you notice that your ceilings, floors, and walls are starting to deform, call a water damage service to address the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, the water may continue to cause warping and eventually lead to significant structural damage to your house.

4. Visible mold

Mold will start to appear on surfaces after only 48 hours of moisture exposure. It can manifest in small spots or large clumps and its color can be green, black, white, or brown. Do not clean or remove the mold on your own. Aside from being dangerous, cleaning off the mold will make no sense if you don't find the source of the water leak as well.

If you start to see even the slightest traces of mold on your walls, ceilings, or floors, call a professional mold removal service right away. They will be able to remove the mold as well as find the source of the leak to prevent the mold from regrowing and spreading. Before they arrive, keep away from the mold as much as possible and prevent children and pets from going near the areas with mold.

5. Discoloration

If you see brown or yellow spots on your walls and ceilings, you likely have a moisture problem in the house. Water that is absorbed into drywall, sheetrock, and other structural materials can cause discoloration over time. So before the stains start to grow, get your home inspected right away to find the source of the leak. If the water damage is allowed to go further, getting rid of the stains may entail the need for a major renovation.

6. Wet carpet

Water can also seep into your carpet, causing wet spots that are hard to ignore. If you see random wet spots on your carpet, especially in areas that are nowhere near water fixtures, call in a professional as soon as possible. Otherwise, mold can start to grow on your carpet and you may need to pull the entire thing out. At the very least, the excess moisture can make your carpet smell awful.

Usual causes of water damage

What's causing your water damage may also go unnoticed, sometimes even for a very long time. Here are the common causes of hidden water damage:

• An unnoticed burst pipe    

• Small leaks          

• Old appliances           

• Upstairs neighbor           

• HVAC issues

If you notice these signs in your home, it's time to call a water damage professional and find the source of the problem. In this way, you can avoid your repair bill from ballooning, as well as save yourself the hassle of dealing with a bigger problem later on.