If your property has experienced water damage, it's important to figure out whether you need to hire a professional to address the problem. Here are 5 signs that it's time to call a pro.

Water Refuses to Disappear

Pooled water is never a good thing inside a building. Even if you're only seeing a couple of spots where the water will not go away, the issue deserves a technician's attention. This is particularly the case if you've tried using fans to circulate air and dry the space out.

Mushy Floors, Walls, or Ceilings

If a floor, wall, or ceiling feels like mush, it's holding onto water. That's the case, even if no water seems to come out when you press on it. Even slight softness is a bad thing, so contact a pro and ask them to figure out what has to be done.

Bugs

Standing water in a building can attract insects, centipedes, and other critters with more legs than your pets have. You might not necessarily see where the water is that's attracting them. Water can pool in weird places, such as the other side of a wall. If the bugs are finding it, then you need to get on top of the issue ASAP.

Smells

Musty odors are almost always driven by the presence of water. Mold or bacteria colonies have found a source of water and they're starting to multiply. Similarly, the mixture of water and dusty from the building can produce a distinctive scent. You might even notice smoky smells if water was recently used to put out a fire. You'll want to discuss water damage restoration work as soon as you notice a funky smell related to the presence of moisture.

Condensation

Water doesn't always just pool on floors or soak into walls and fixtures. It also can evaporate into the air, particularly when warmed. If you see water condensation developing on the windows after your building experienced water damage, you should be suspicious. A technician can help you trace the origin and determine whether repairs ought to be performed or the issue is something else, like a failing HVAC system.

Spots, Flakes, Stains, and Bubbles

If water is slowly sneaking into places throughout a structure, it often slowly creates patches of damage. These frequently appear as yellow or brown spots. Sometimes they cause paint or construction materials to flake or bubble. If you're looking at a wall, ceiling, or floor that seems to be discolored, there might be water damage.

If you've seen any of these signs in your own home, contact a water damage restoration service as soon as possible.