Yellowish-brownish spots appear on the wall or ceiling. The cause of this unsightly discoloration is usually water damage. Those affected must then react immediately.
Suddenly it is there, the water stain on the ceiling. The task now is to act immediately and to find out the cause. Because such a stain is often an indication of major water damage in the house or apartment. Even if it dries off soon, the danger is not over. “The causes of water damage are very diverse,” explains Andreas Braun from the Central Association of Sanitary, Heating, Air Conditioning in Sankt Augustin. They can lie inside the house, such as burst pipes, leaking pipes or the defective washing machine. But external influences also come as a result of heavy rain or floods. In addition, structural causes are possible.
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Indications of water damage
Dark spots on the wall and ceiling
Homeowners should check their property regularly to see if there are any dark spots on the wall or ceiling. Because discoloration can also be an indication of water damage. “They are caused by the drying process and are referred to as evaporation horizons,” says Marc Ellinger, head of the Freiburg-Südbaden office of the Association of Private Builders.
Those affected often interpret these areas as a sign of the all-clear and hope that the problem is over. But that is often a mistake. Even if the wall surface seems dry again, mold can form behind it, says Ellinger. “In addition, the water that penetrated through a defective roof tile, for example, finds its way there again the next time it rains.”
Musty odor or mold
According to the experience of the Institute for Loss Prevention and Loss Research of the Public Insurers, the following indications also speak for hidden water damage in the house: rising damp, for example salt efflorescence or water marks in the lower wall areas, mold formation or a musty smell.
“But then the damage is already advanced,” says Thorsten Pfullmann, specialist in charge of tap water damage. Condensation on the panes can also be an indication that water is leaking somewhere and that an unusually high amount of moisture is getting into the room air. You should also get to the bottom of dripping or even flowing noises.
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Also interesting: which insurances are liable for which water damage?
Fleck reveals a lot about cause and damage
If the damage is a water stain, Braun advises you to take a close look at it. Because the specialist can already tell from the color whether it is fresh or wastewater.
If the stain gets bigger after a downpour and then dries off again, it could be that the roof or masonry are leaking. However, if it grows without drying out, it indicates a pipe damage or a leak in which water is constantly escaping.
To make matters worse, the stain does not necessarily appear in the defective area. “The water finds its way and distributes itself where it can get through most easily. It always wants to go down, including under the floor and under the screed, ”says Braun.
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Shut off the affected line in the event of damage
Water damage in the house cannot be dealt with without a skilled craftsman, especially not if the cause has not yet been identified. “Until this arrives, it is advisable to shut off the affected lines,” says Braun.
It is also important to inform the building and household insurance. “Insured persons are subject to what is known as the duty to minimize damage,” explains Ellinger. “So you have to ensure that the damage does not spread unnecessarily.” If you fail to do this, the insurance company may refuse to pay for the damage.
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