Dry Framing Water Damage In Your Attic?
Dry framing water damage isn't that hard to spot,
however, you can't be afraid of the attic. There are plenty of people
who are afraid to enter this insect infested, rodent crawling place of
ultimate darkness. You can always hire a professional contractor if
you're afraid, hopefully they won't be.
Now for the important question, how can you spot water damage in your
attic and what will you be looking for? Let's not get ahead of
ourselves, first were going to need me few things.
You are going to need a bright light or a high-powered flashlight and
you will need to be careful if you plan on walking around the attic. I
would like to warn you, if you don't know what you should be standing
on, you might not want to go any further than your attic access hole and
that would be only if you were standing on a secure ladder.
Always think safety when entering an attic. The easiest water spots and
damage to spot would be, any areas that would be currently wet. These
damp areas can usually be spotted easily, because most people know what
wet things look like. If you do find wet drywall, plaster, framing or
installation in your attic, I would advise, that you contact a
professional to fix this water damage as soon as possible.
If you let this damage go, it could cost you more money in the long run.
Water damage can also invite that horrible thing that no one wants to
talk about in your home, toxic mold.
The wet spots are usually easy to notice, however, how can you spot
water damage, when the water isn't leaking through the roof. This could
become a little more difficult, but you will be looking for discolored
lumber. This lumber will usually have darker or lighter stains,
depending on the lumber used.
Redwood, for example will usually have darker spot on the lumber if it
was wet at one time and then dried out. Douglas fir and pine could have
light or dark stains, but either way, the water damage will stain the
wood, eventually.
Dry framing water damage isn't usually hard to spot, any water damage
that has dried out in your attic will usually produce a different color
than the surrounding areas. In other words, look for any staining on the
insulation, drywall or wood framing.
It's usually not hard to find, the biggest problem will be finding a
water leak. Sometimes these home repairs can be nightmares.