Special offer

Signs of a Previous Leak Can Be Subtle

By
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819

 

Signs of a Previous Leak Can Be Subtle

 

Water leaks and moisture damage will always be a concern for home buyer. No one wants to be surprised in the future of an undisclosed water leak, so detecting problem areas is important. signs of leak in SacramentoOften times the evidence of a previous leak can be subtle, but if you know what to look for that can be helpful.

Swollen wood, discolored surfaces and staining can all be signs of water damage that was no correctly cleaned up. The leak or moisture intrusion may have been fixed with no signs of moisture in the building materials and that is good. Knowing that there was a leak at some point in the past may help you to get answers about these subtle signs.

 

If you are in doubt about what to look for, maybe contacting a home inspector or qualified contractor is a good idea. Working with an experienced professional can bring answers and help to explain what the problem may have been. A professional may be able to help with whether or not to be concerns with the findings.

Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

It is worth pointing out that most houses will have water damage at some point. As much as we hope never to have a leak in the roof, broken dishwasher or overflowing tub, it happens. Most of the time (we hope), it has been fixed. Water damage is always something worth asking more questions about so that you know what you will be getting.

Jul 16, 2013 01:44 AM
Suzanne Otto
Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA
Your Montgomery County PA home stager

I'm pretty sure the average person can't tell the difference between a one time past water leak and an occasionally recurring leak. Always best to hire a professional such as Tom to tell the difference!

Jul 16, 2013 01:47 AM
Trisha Bush-LeFore
Preferred Properties Land & Homes - Walla Walla, WA
Providing Realtor Services in the Walla Walla Area

It's always best to work with a professional if you are not a professional yourself. It's best to keep yourself safe in every way possible.

Jul 16, 2013 03:13 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes to hiring on professional eyes when it comes to big investments

Jul 16, 2013 03:46 AM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Water is the source of much damage in much too many homes.  An inspector is well trained in looking out for all the possible sources if they see any questionable areas and their eye, unlike most buyers eyes are trained to find these.

Jul 16, 2013 04:17 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Tom, this article caught my eye as I have plumbers researching the possibility of a leak under my pier and beam home as I write this response.

Jul 16, 2013 05:06 AM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Tom always good to hire someone with experience and then ask questions on such issues as the one above, good eyes.

Jul 16, 2013 06:44 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Tom, I would be concerned about a leak that close to the carpeting and how the moisture could spread.

Jul 16, 2013 07:34 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Tom:  In our area, having suffered through water issues is not a big surprise.  What I would want to know is:  If the problem was fixed ... and if it was address correctly.  That's where YOU come in ...

Great suggestion to dig deeper for answers ...

Gene

Jul 16, 2013 08:17 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Might be a good idea to check them out Scott.

 

Peace of mind goes a long way in customer satisfaction Dorie.

Jul 16, 2013 01:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

 

I think it is important that everyone is aware that a situation occurred at one time Barbara.

 

True Jay, that's where you come in. There are hints of water that also doesn't require the toys.  :)

Jul 16, 2013 01:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Chuck - It never hurts to just check things out.

 

Knowing that the repaired materials is cleaned up is always important Harry.

Jul 16, 2013 01:10 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Michael - The answer may be simple, we just need to be aware of it.

 

Gabrielle - Some homes have been sitting vacant for a while, things may be dry because the water has been off for a long time.

Jul 16, 2013 01:11 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

You are so right Tanya. I have seen water travel very long distances before exposing itself.

 

Roger - Good point, it may be wet. Let's take a look and get a good answer to report to the buyer.

Jul 16, 2013 01:11 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Will - A good inspector is an asset.

 

Gay - It can be educational to talk to those that can point things out.

Jul 16, 2013 02:52 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Holly - You are so right, leaks do happen. Doing things properly is the important part for me.

 

Suzanne - It really does come down to experience. I certainly wouldn't be given out advise on staging and design, I haven't the experience that you have.  :)

Jul 16, 2013 02:52 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Trisha - Safety is important.

 

Richie - The bigger the risk, the more eyes that are needed.

Jul 16, 2013 11:12 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Lora - Inspectors and contractors deal with the problem areas all the time, trust in their good judgement.

 

Sharon - You mean you aren't under there yourself?  :)

Jul 16, 2013 11:12 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

David - It's just what I do my friend.

 

Connie - What caught my eye was the fact that it was need the carpet; the moisture had to be coming from the other direction.

Jul 16, 2013 11:12 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Gene - I must be a digger.  :)

Thanks for the referral!

Jul 16, 2013 11:13 PM