Instructor Ed Jones has over 30 years of experience in theindustry, has the title of MasterWater Restorer, is an Institute ofInspection Cleaning andRestoration Certification (IICRC)-approved instructor, and hasserved on the S500-2021consensus body committee todevelop the most recent standard.
One of the first things we look at when reviewing a new water loss claim is to confirm the origin of loss and how long the materials have been wet to help determine the category of water. Many times, the date of loss listed in the loss notice is actually the date of discovery, not actual date of loss. With this understanding, we need to look at some water loss sources where the water intrusion is hidden from view, so we might need to consider the affected materials have been wet longer than we thought.
Ice maker or refrigerator line leak or break. Many of these lines are made out of thin plastic tubing that can be “kinked” or “pinched” so it weakens the plastic and a small pin hole water leak occurs or the line becomes detached from the supply line valve in the wall. Always look behind refrigerator for moldy drywall or base trim.
Shower pan leak. If the shower drain becomes separated from the shower pan liner, it could leak slowly over time as it only leaks when the shower is used. It might be discovered from a water stain on the ceiling below.
Toilet Seal Leak. If the wax ring leaks, it might take weeks for the water damage to become visible as it will leak only when flushed.
Read the article on Selective Invasive Investigation to learn how to look for visible mold growth behind or below what caused the leak. Open up the base trim and lowest part of the wet wall drywall to look inside wall cavities or make an inspection port in a wet drywall ceiling to look up into the ceiling cavity from below.
Remember, obtain good photos of any visible mold and moisture content readings.
Contractor Newsletter
Sign up today to receive quarterly tips on best practices in home repair, growing your contracting business, and more.