Water Water Everywhere: Causes and Symptoms of Water Infiltration
This clear and handy graphic beautifully illustrates common causes and symptoms of water infiltation in your home. Unchecked, water causes paint to peel, wood to rot, brick and stone masonry to deteriorate, and homes to mold. When making repairs, it’s critically important to treat the cause of water/moisture damage in your vintage home not just the symptoms, or you'll find yourself wasting money and time trying to repair a problem that will continue to worsen. Your basement may occasionally flood, but that may be a symptom of improper storm water drainage. Your masonry may show signs of mortar deterioration, but that may be a symptom of a roof leak or vines growing on the walls. Your decorative wood trim may be rotting, but that may be a symptom of a clogged or leaky gutter.
Famed Chicago photographer and preservationist Richard Nickel once noted that “great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men.”