Water damage does not always announce itself with a dramatic indoor waterfall. Around Mansfield, Northland Restoration Company usually finds water damage hiding behind drywall after months of slow leaking, or creeping up from the foundation when those heavy North Texas spring storms dump inches of rain in a single afternoon. If you have recently had Water Damage Restoration work done, or if you just want to make sure you never need Water Damage Restoration again, you have to stay ahead of our local climate.
Our expansive clay soil here in Tarrant County shifts constantly. One month the soil is bone dry and cracking, and the next month the soil is saturated and putting heavy pressure on your plumbing lines and foundation. That movement is very brutal on pipes. To make sure any Water Damage Restoration repairs we have done actually last, you need a routine that accounts for these shifts.
What Regular Maintenance Looks Like
You do not need a toolbox full of fancy gear to keep your house dry. You just need a bit of consistency. Every few months, walk your property and check the obvious trouble spots.
- Look under every sink for slow drips and damp wood.
- Check your water heater connections, especially if it is sitting in the garage where temperature swings take a toll.
- Clear out your gutters so heavy rains do not pool right against your brick or siding.
- Test your sump pump before storm season hits.
That last one is important. If you live in a lower-lying lot near Oliver Nature Park or down toward Lake Arlington where drainage can back up, a failed sump pump will ruin your weekend quickly.
Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
Houses have a way of telling you when something is wrong before it turns into a disaster. You just have to pay attention to the little things. Musty smells that will not go away are a clear sign of hidden moisture. If a room smells like an old basement even though the room is dry to the touch, pull out a moisture meter or give Northland Restoration Company a call.
Keep an eye out for peeling paint, warped baseboards, or drywall that feels slightly soft under your thumb. Tile floors starting to cup or grout lines cracking for no apparent reason usually mean water is moving underneath where you cannot see it.
Northland Restoration Company gets calls all the time from homeowners who thought a small wet spot would just dry out on its own. By the time they realize the spot has not dried, mold has settled in and the subfloor is rotting through.
When to Call a Professional
Some do-it-yourself fixes work great, but Water Damage Restoration is not one of them once water gets past a surface spill. If a pipe bursts behind the wall, or if your water heater lets go while you are at work, shut off the main water valve immediately. Do not wait to see if the area air-dries.
Standing water needs proper extraction and industrial air movers to pull moisture out of wall cavities and framing before mold spores activate. If the affected area is bigger than a couple of square feet, or if sewage is involved, leave the Water Damage Restoration to the pros. Northland Restoration Company has the meters, the thermal imaging cameras, and the drying equipment to make sure your home is completely safe and dry down to the studs.