Drywall vs. Damp Walls – Treating Water Damage

Water damage is one disaster that many homeowners are never really ready for. This is partly because water tends to be fairly unassuming as far as home damage goes. It doesn’t always enter with a bang, and it can linger for some time before it really starts causing trouble. However, the water damage repair professionals with ServiceMaster Fire and Water Clean Up know that it’s something of a sleeper agent in the world of home repair. Left to its own devices it can cause havoc you couldn’t even imagine…and it can all start with your drywall.

Drywall

Drywall is a panel used for the construction of walls and ceilings in residential and commercial structures. It is unique in that it creates smooth walls and ceilings without painting (i.e., wallpaper). Moreover, drywall is used while the building is still under construction. This allows workers to quickly patch damaged areas instead of having to hold off until after the interior walls are painted.

Damp wall

There’s a reason drywall has the word “dry” in it, and it’s not because it has a bland appearance. When drywall gets wet it’s usually a sign of bigger trouble to come. Since it comprises the interior of many American homes the damage that can be done to it by water is quite well documented. Thanks to the testimony of many other sufferers of water damage, homeowners can feel confident diagnosing damp drywall as a problem as soon as they see it.

Damp drywall isn’t just a problem on its own, it’s also often a sign of deeper water damage occurring in your home. When there’s visible water on the drywall, extensive water damage repair may be in your near future. A leaking pipe, a weak foundation, environmental or weather damage, and more may be the cause—but more often than not it’s much easier to damage drywall than it is to repair it. This is especially true with water damage.

To determine if a section of the wall has been affected by water damage, look for several telltale signs: First, note any discoloration of the paint or wall due to water stains. It’s usually easiest to spot on light-colored walls; however, if the walls were originally dark brown, it’s the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.

How to repair damp walls?

Locate the source of the water leak

Repairing the drywall after a leak is the least fun part of fixing a water damage problem. This is because it requires that you first locate the source of the water problem, which can take some time. If water is coming through your drywall and it’s apparent that the source of the leak is the center of the wall, you may be able to repair the leak without having to worry about replacing any drywall. Otherwise, you’ll need to cut away damaged drywall and install new drywall.

Clean up visible water stains

After detecting the source, the first thing you need to do is turn off all sources of water. Next, thoroughly wash down the area where water was coming through. Use soap and hot water to scrub the affected area until no visible stains remain. Repeat this process twice daily for about three days. It’s important to note that removing the stain may take some time. Most restoration projects throw out the window: “measure twice and cut once”. Don’t fill your walls with more holes than necessary by being inefficient. Removing the stain is just one part of this process, but that doesn’t mean rushing through it will be the best idea.

Dry the affected areas

For minor water damages, you can let the damp area dry out by simply using a fan and opening doors and windows. To speed up evaporation, remove molding and baseboards to prevent moisture from entering behind them. This will allow better air circulation and can cut down on the amount of time needed to dry everything out.

However, in most cases, Water soaked drywall damages are extensive and result in numerous cracks and heavy bubbles that affect the entire house structure. Homeowners should never implement the dehumidification process without consulting a water restoration professional. Rather than just drying out damp spots on your drywall and calling it dealt with, take initiative and prevent those soaking spots from causing any additional damage to your home. Contact our water damage repair experts at ServiceMaster Fire and Water Clean Up today at (844) 805-1107 and visit our website here for information.

Replace the drywall

ServiceMaster Fire and Water Clean Up can replace your drywall as soon as the damages are properly dried. If you want to go through the process yourself. Here are some tips from expert contractors that will help you measure correctly before you pierce through your walls:

Measure carefully! The last thing you want is for a hole or holes to be out of place. It can make the entire room look strange and unbalanced. As you are measuring, remember not to put holes at places where there will be plumbing or wiring. And once you have made your decision, mark where you want to put the holes with a pencil or something similar. This will help even out the drill when you go to drill the wall.

Once the holes have been drilled, you will have to finish removing the tile carefully. The breakage process needs to be carried out in a careful way so that you can create a pattern you desire while still removing the tiles.

Measure the distance between the screw holes in the drywall where you’ll be mounting the bracket and cut a drywall anchor so that it fits using a saw or rotary tool. Next, drill a starter hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw being used. Deduct 1/8 inch from this measurement, and use this measurement to mark around the outside edge of the hole. Remove the screw and set it aside.

The project is almost finished, and now it’s time to make sure the screws are secure. Your dad taught you this, right? Take your time because you don’t want to strip any screw holes. Be careful when driving the last few screws. According to Uncle Bob, all four corners should line up before you drive a screw all the way in.

To save your time and effort, it is more effective to seek professional help. When it comes to water damage repair, we’re more than an emergency response company. When water leaks or flooding occurs, we can help prevent secondary damages that can occur if you do not respond quickly. Our technicians are trained in the industry’s latest methods and equipment for water damage restoration. This includes using a variety of extraction methodologies to remove unwanted moisture and mold growth from your property.