Water Damage


Water damage, especially when untreated for a long period of time, can cause serious damage to the structure, functionality, and beauty of your home. Whether you are looking to sell your home in the future or hoping to enjoy living in your home for as long as possible, protecting your house from potential water damage is an important aspect of home improvement and maintenance.

As the famous saying goes, prevention is worth a pound of cure. As true as that may be, the first step before prevention is to inspect your home for any existing water damage that you’re currently unaware about.

John Baethke & Son Plumbing is a local plumbing company with years of experience in providing repair, maintenance, and installation of plumbing systems. In this article, we’ll fill you in on some helpful tips on detecting water damage in your home, and how to implement regular checks for water damage into your regular maintenance routine.

1. Check the Walls and Ceilings

Arguably, the easiest way to detect water damage is by looking out for water stains on the ceilings and walls of your home. Look for unusual water stains high and low, in corners, and directly on the ceilings. Water spots will look darker than other areas or might hide behind patches of peeling stucco or paint, or drywall that’s cracked, bubbling up, or that looks swollen, These can be signs that your home’s structure has been exposed to moisture in those areas and that there’s leaking pipes or faulty drains behind the walls.

2. Examine the Floors

No matter what type of flooring you have, water damage can also be evident and can permeate down to the floors below. Check if your floors look warped or there are stains and damp carpet areas.

3. Inspect the Pipes

Check all the pipes in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and any other part of the house for signs of corrosion, leaks, or stains. Take special notice on the caulking of your fixtures, signs of mold, or chipped grout.

4. Scan the Basement and Attic Areas


The basement and attic can also be problematic areas even if they are rarely used. Basement leakage must be taken seriously as this can lead to more severe damage to the flooring, walls, baseboards, and even your furniture. Aside from inspecting for cracks, water stains, and wetness, you must also look out for signs of mold and mildew as this can affect the health of your family.

Meanwhile, inspect the valleys where two roof planes in your attic come together, as well as the flashing around vents and the area where the roof connects to the walls. Keep in mind that the insulation must be dry.

5. Detect any Musty or Unusual Odors

Aside from these visible signs, musty odors are common in areas where there is water damage. If you happen to smell musty odors in areas that feel damp or humid, inspect the area carefully as there may be mold or mildew within your home that you need to address for your family’s health and safety.

Preventing Water Damage

Checking your home for water damage is something you should incorporate into your regular maintenance routine. In fact, it’s suggested that homeowners check for water damage at least once every two to three months.

It’s also important to have your home evaluated for drips and leaks, water drainage problems, sump pump issues, and other things that can jeopardize your home’s structural integrity. A qualified plumber can help you with a thorough inspection of your home to point out any problem areas—and can provide a solution before they start causing trouble.

Dealing with Water Damage

If you’ve found signs of water damage, don’t panic. Water damage is very common, and won’t necessarily mean you’re going to need to pay for an expensive renovation just yet. While this is possible, especially if the damage has been there long enough, the chances are that you’ll need to have some repairs done to fix the problem, and to stop the damage from getting worse.

A professional plumbing company can help you evaluate your home for water damage, and will offer solutions to help you make your home a safer and better place to live. Since 1993, John Baethke & Son Plumbing has built a name for itself with top-quality plumbing services in Chicago and the surrounding areas. We’re dedicated to helping homeowners solve problems before they become giant issues that affect their quality of life and home investments.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you find a quick and affordable solution to your home’s water damage issue, or to have us inspect your home for damage, give us a call today. Alternatively, you may fill out this quick online form to get started with a free diagnosis and pricing estimate.