Throw in a leaky roof, pipe, or faucet, and you've got a costly problem in our hands. The question is: how then does one know that water damage has started out in its destructive path?

For starters, one early sign that is easy to spot is the presence of water stains. This is usually seen on ceilings. If this is present, a leak in the roof is probably right above it. Sometimes, though, the leak in the roof may not be directly above but the water may simply have trailed and stayed on the spot above the water stain. To prevent water damage from escalating, the source of the water spot should be located as soon as possible.

Water stains may also be found on windows and doors. If this is so, the source could most likely be from the outside.

If the stains are on cabinets, usually in kitchens, the culprit is most likely a leaky faucet or pipe under the sink.

If a faucet is the problem, this should be repaired immediately to avoid unnecessary increase in your water bills. Also, if the problem becomes worse and the leak transforms into gushing water, water damage could escalate instantly.

If a pipe is the problem, this should also be remedied immediately as it might be caused by clogging. You wouldn't want the sink to overflow, as this could happen when the clogging gets worse.

Water damage on a building's structure is more difficult to detect as the effects take time to show.

Most of the visible signs are found on wood. For wooden floors, crowning, cupping, and in extreme cases, buckling occurs. Ceilings and walls may tend to warp.

For floors, the source might be from the top, e.g., a leaky faucet or pipe, although it might also come from moisture from the bottom.

For walls, the source might be a pipe behind the wall. In this case, a wall will have to be removed and the back inspected. Sometimes, the source is from the ceiling above. If water leaks through the gap between the ceiling and the wall, the water might seep in behind the wall and cause it to warp. This problem can be pinpointed especially if the warping is more pronounced at the top than at the bottom. If it is the other way around, then the source of water might be from behind and near the bottom.

For linoleum or vinyl floors, the damage only becomes detectable when the floor separates from the subfloor. This usually takes quite some time to happen. When it does, the floor should be removed and the subfloor cleaned and dried. In very serious cases, the vinyl floor might warp, and will have to be replaced.

It is important to be wary of the signs and to heed the warnings they bear to prevent water damage from worsening into a more costly problem.