Water Damaged Drywall

We've had quite a bit of precipitation, ranging from heavy snow to rain. Naturally, this has leads to homeowners discovering leaks they previously were not aware of. And in many cases, this will lead to water damaged drywall.

You might think "The leak wasn't that bad. There are just a few minor stains, and we'll paint over them." In some very rare cases, this might be okay, but the vast majority of the time, you're going to want to address the damage as soon as possible.

Water damaged drywall is a big deal?
Drywall is made of materials, such as gypsum, that are naturally prone to moisture absorption. They're also a perfect breeding ground for organic growth. Not every case of wet drywall will lead to organic growth, but the longer the material stays wet, the higher the probability of it developing.

Drywall should never feel particularly soft either. Your drywall should be firm to the touch. Drywall on the ceiling, if it gets significantly wet, can give out and fall to the ground.

Find the water source
Sometimes the source is more obvious, such as, missing shingles, a leaky pipe, an overwhelmed sump pump. And in some cases, you are required to look deeper into what could be the source. Did you know that your outside water hose spigot actually can cause damage on the inside, if the bibb cracks? You may have a leak in your basement or crawlspace that is caused from a $30 part. If you ignore the leak, a $30 part could turn into a $3,000 repair.

Drywall Replacement
The next step to consider if you have a leak is whether you can allow the drywall to simply dry out, or if it will need to be replaced. Some homeowners will simply paint over the stained drywall thinking it's a onetime event. This could be possible, if the damage was minimal and the source of the leak stopped.

We caution allowing any significant damage to be unattended to. There is a strong possibility that the wood behind the drywall has also been damaged. It is always best to have a professional inspect the damage to determine if the drywall should be cut out. They have the right tools to determine the levels of moisture behind the wall, helping you make an informed decision.

Is remediation needed?
Replacing drywall is not super challenging, but here is where we again urge caution. If organic growth has formed, replacing it on your own can cause those spores to enter the air. Respiratory issues, particularly to those with weakened immune systems, are likely to develop once exposure has happened.

Fixing your water-damaged walls is one of our specialties, and we're more than happy to help get your home back up and running. If you have an emergency issue, a member of our team will be in touch quickly. Contact us 24/7 anytime you suspect a leak or water damage.