Water damage rarely starts with a flood

Most water damage starts quietly. A tiny drip under a sink. A slow leak at a shower valve. A window that lets meltwater in during a chinook. Months later, the drywall bubbles, the baseboard swells, or a musty smell shows up in the basement. If you learn the early signs, you can fix the cause while it is still a small job.

Why Calgary homes see certain water patterns

Our weather creates a few repeat stories. Snow piles melt fast during warm spells. Water runs toward foundations when grading is flat. Ice dams can push water under shingles. Dry indoor air can hide humidity problems until frost shows up in attics. These patterns do not mean every home has water issues. They mean you should check the usual places.

Start with your senses

You do not need special tools to spot early issues. Your eyes, nose, and hands do most of the work.

• Smell: musty or earthy odors, often strongest after rain or thaw.
• Look: faint stains, rippled paint, swollen trim, or dark corners.
• Touch: cool, damp drywall or soft baseboards.
• Listen: dripping sounds after the taps are off, or a steady toilet fill noise.

Basement checks that catch problems early

Basements often show the first clues, even when the water source is outside.

Check corners and the bottom 12 inches of walls

• Look for white powder on concrete or block walls (efflorescence)
• Look for peeling paint or blistered drywall near the floor
• Press lightly on baseboards for soft spots
• Look for rust marks on nails at the bottom of studs in unfinished areas

Check window wells

• Make sure the well drains are clear of mud and leaves
• Look for water lines or silt marks inside the well
• Check the interior wall under the window for staining

Check the floor and floor drain

• Look for hairline cracks that look darker than the rest
• Smell near the floor drain. A dry trap can smell like sewer gas.
• If you have a floor drain, confirm it is not covered and has a clear opening

Sump pump basics if you have one

• Lift the float gently and see if the pump turns on
• Confirm discharge goes away from the home
• Listen for grinding sounds that hint at wear

If you do not have a sump, that can be normal. Not all Calgary homes need one. The goal is to know what you have and how it behaves during melt.

Bathrooms: tiny leaks become big repairs

Bathrooms hide leaks because water is expected there. This is where small checks pay off.

Under sinks

• Open the cabinet and feel the bottom for dampness
• Look for swelling on particle board shelves
• Check shutoff valves for crusty mineral buildup
• Look for greenish stains on copper, or white crust on fittings

Tubs and showers

• Check caulk lines where tile meets the tub or shower base
• Look for missing grout or loose tile near corners
• After a shower, check the ceiling below for faint damp marks

Toilets

• Listen for a toilet that refills randomly, it can waste water and point to a worn flapper
• Look at the base for dark staining or a soft floor edge
• Check for movement when you gently shift the toilet, it should feel solid

Fans and ventilation

Moisture can look like a leak when it is really humidity. Turn on the bath fan and hold a tissue near the grille. It should pull the tissue toward it. If it barely moves air, moisture stays in the room and can feed mold.

Kitchens and laundry areas

Leaks here can spread fast because the plumbing runs often.

Kitchen sink zone

• Check the P-trap and disposal connection for slow drips
• Look at dishwasher supply lines and the area where the hose enters the cabinet
• Watch for stains at the toe kick under the sink cabinet

Fridge water lines

• Look for brittle plastic lines and consider upgrading to a braided line
• Check the shutoff valve for crust or dampness
• Look at flooring behind the fridge for swelling

Laundry

• Check washer hoses for bulges or cracks
• Confirm the standpipe does not overflow during a drain cycle
• Check around the floor drain for damp marks

Attic clues that point to moisture problems

Attics show moisture in a different way. In Calgary, attic frost is a common winter clue.

• Frost on roof sheathing: often from warm, moist indoor air leaking into the attic.
• Dark staining on sheathing: can be old condensation, roof leaks, or poor venting.
• Compressed insulation: near eaves can block vent paths and create cold roof edges.
• Bath fan ducts: if the duct ends in the attic or has loose joints, moisture will build up.

If you do not go into the attic, you can still watch for ceiling stains on top floors and for ice patterns at roof edges that suggest warm roof areas.

Windows and doors: small gaps, big stains

Window leaks can look like “bad windows” when the real cause is exterior drainage or failed exterior sealant.

• Look for bubbling paint at the bottom corners of windows
• Look for soft drywall at the window return
• Watch for condensation between panes (failed seals)
• Check exterior caulking at trim (do not seal weep holes)

If a stain appears after snow melt or wind-driven rain, take a photo and note the weather. That timing helps identify the entry path.

Exterior checks that prevent basement water

Many basement “leaks” start above ground. Do these checks each spring and fall.

• Gutters: clean and firmly attached, no overflow stains on siding.
• Downspouts: extensions that send water away from the foundation.
• Grading: soil slopes away from the house near the first 1 to 2 meters.
• Window wells: clear drains, no soil piled against the window frame.

Moisture vs leak: how to tell the difference

Not all “water signs” are leaks. Some are indoor humidity problems.

• Condensation patterns: water droplets on windows, especially in bedrooms, can point to high indoor humidity.
• Mildew in corners: often a ventilation issue, not a pipe leak.
• Attic frost: usually air leaks and humidity, not a roof failure.

Track indoor humidity with a simple hygrometer. Many Calgary homes feel best around 30 to 35 percent in winter. If windows fog, reduce humidity and run fans longer.

Simple tool upgrades

You can catch issues faster with a few low-cost tools.

• Hygrometer: tells you if indoor humidity is too high.
• Moisture meter: helps confirm if a stain is active or old.
• Flashlight: for under-sink checks and basement corners.

Tools do not replace observation. They just help you confirm what you already suspect.

What to do when you find a clue

Do not wait for it to “become obvious.” Take a simple, calm approach:

1. Take photos from two angles
2. Note the date and weather (rain, melt, deep cold)
3. Check nearby plumbing and exterior drainage
4. Dry the area and watch if it returns
5. If it returns, call the right trade or book an inspection consult

When to call an inspector vs a trade

• Call a trade when you see an active plumbing drip, a dripping valve, or a clear fixture leak.
• Call an inspector when the source is unclear, you see multiple signs, or you want a full moisture and home systems review.

Some problems need both: an inspector to identify the likely cause, then a trade to price and repair.

Seasonal routine that works in Calgary

• Spring: gutter and downspout check, grading review, window well check.
• Summer: reseal exterior gaps, check decks and balcony slopes, test sump pump if you have one.
• Fall: clean gutters again, confirm downspouts, check furnace and humidifier setup.
• Winter: watch attic frost clues, clear intake and exhaust pipes, manage indoor humidity.

Homeowner checklist you can print

• Under-sink dampness, stains, swelling
• Bath caulk lines, grout gaps, fan airflow
• Ceiling stains under bathrooms
• Basement corners, efflorescence, window well stains
• Gutters and downspouts push water away
• Indoor humidity stays near 30 to 35 percent in winter
• Attic hatch seals and bath fans vent outside

The payoff

Early water clues are your friend. They give you time. Instead of discovering damage after it spreads, you catch it when it is a small fix. In Calgary, that means fewer basement surprises during melt, fewer attic moisture problems in winter, and a home that stays dry and easy to live in year-round.