Water damage is a problem that nearly everyone runs into at some point in their life. As a new homebuyer, there’s a good chance that one of your goals is to purchase a home with minimal risk of water damage. Unaddressed water damage in homes up for sale is a shockingly common problem. A home inspection is no guarantee that these issues will be detected so you should be prepared to spot signs of unaddressed water damage before purchasing a new home. Below are a few tips for doing this from our water damage restoration team at ATEX Restoration in Austin. 
Musty Odor
A musty odor is one of the hallmark indications of hidden water (or mold) damage. Sometimes there is a tendency to dismiss musty odors as “just the way the house smells,” but this can be a serious mistake. If you detect a musty odor, it is there for a reason. That reason is likely because there is unaddressed water or mold damage lurking somewhere in the home.
Stained Ceiling Or Walls
One way water damage presents itself is through discolorations or stains on ceilings or walls. These spots may look grey, brown, or black and are very unsightly. These are much harder to miss since they stick out so much. However, these indications of unaddressed water damage can be overlooked when they are in seldom-visited areas of a home like the attic or crawlspace. If you notice any of these issues, even if the stains look old, it could be a sign that the damage was never properly addressed.
Reduced Water Pressure
It could mean many different things if you turn on a faucet in a home you are thinking about buying and the water pressure is abnormally low. The most benign explanation is that the home just has low water pressure. However, low water pressure could also indicate that pressure is being lost somewhere due to a leak. This is not a definitive sign of hidden water damage but it is enough of a clue to merit a closer inspection and some follow-up questions.
Peeling Paint Or Wallpaper
When moisture gets into the walls of a home, it will gradually seep into the paint and wallpaper. Over time, this will cause the pain to peel or bubble and the wallpaper to peel and curl off of the wall. If you notice this in a home you are touring, you should take care before putting in an offer to make sure you understand the cause of the peeling paint or wallpaper and if the issue has been addressed.
Water Damage In Austin
As you can see, there are many different ways that unaddressed water damage can be overlooked when purchasing a new home. If you are vigilant, you can detect some of these issues prior to making an offer and help avoid large, unexpected water damage restoration expenses. Otherwise, you could end up in financial straits as you are forced to deal with the expense of buying a new home and dealing with water damage restoration.
If the home you love shows signs of water damage, it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker. Most water damage, even if the restoration has been put off, can be addressed by a team of restoration experts. The important thing is to enter into the home-buying and negotiation process with your eyes wide open about the restoration timeline and expenses that may be required to resolve the damage.
If you are an Austin homebuyer faced with water damage restoration concerns, ATEX Restoration is here to help. We’ll be your ally in helping you address any of the water damage issues before or after the purchase. Give us a call today.