Detecting water damage in your old house

There is no doubt that many old houses are plagued by problems. One of the biggest issues, whether the house is modern or ancient, is the threat of water damage. It can wreck havoc on a home, and unfortunately it doesn’t take long — one serious storm could be enough to result in damage that requires many hours of labor and thousands of dollars to repair.

Sometimes the damage is quite evident, and can be easily spotted by the untrained eye. But it can also be a very subtle problem that creeps up on you, creating significant destruction before you even realize it’s there.

Spotting water damage

I really wish I had known how to detect the more subtle signs of water damage before I moved into my first old home. It would have saved me a great deal of hassle, not to mention kept more cash in my wallet. Here is a list of signs that you may have damage, from the clear to the more subtle, sneaky ones:

1. Water stains. That telltale stain on the ceiling or wall can be an obvious sign. If it suddenly pops up, it’s time to get a professional into your house to check it out and find out where the water came from. If you are looking into purchasing an old house and you see water stains, be wary. Ask for proof that the source of the damage has been repaired.
2. Buckling floors and walls. This is another very clear sign, and it is often the mark of an extensive problem. The drywall or wood absorbs water, which makes it swell. The result is a buckling that you can see or feel when you walk over the area. This can happen over time, such as through a small shower leak, or it can happen all at once, especially after a major storm.
3. Crumbling areas. Pay attention to the area around the windows. Do you see crumbling wood? The same holds true for baseboards or molding. Any sort of crumbling could indicate the wood is falling apart because of water infiltration.
4. Trust your nose. The damage might be able to hide from your sight, but you can often find it with your nose. If you walk into a room and are assaulted with the scent of mold or mildew, there could be moisture damage lurking behind the walls. Many old houses have an old, musty smell — but in rooms where water has caused damage, that smell is often much more pronounced.
5. Listen closely. Sometimes you can sense a water leak, but you can’t see it anywhere. If you suspect a hidden leak coming from your roof, try to use your ears to verify it. When it starts to rain, turn off everything in the house, including your central heat and air. The goal is to make the house as quiet as possible. Then stand in the various places you think there might be a leak, and simply listen. The sound of water dripping through your roof is very different from the sound of water landing on your roof. This is how I found the tiny leak in my attic that could have led to serious problems later on.
6. Look for new paint. If you are looking to purchase a house, pay attention to the paint. Sadly, many homeowners who want to unload their house will cover up problems rather than fix them. Look for newly painted ceilings, or areas that appear to have been patched over with a fresh coat of paint, but the rest of the house didn’t get that same treatment.

Water damage is the bane of old house lovers everywhere. But with a little detective work and careful observation, you can find the telltale signs before they become serious problems for your wallet.

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