Moisture and Drywall, Part Two

Continuing with our discussion about drywall and water damage, let’s look at indicators, identifiers and remedies.

Water damage is one of the most common reasons for drywall repair. When water penetrates drywall, it can cause walls to lose firmness and crumble. Indicators of water damaged drywall include:

• Staining or discoloration on ceilings or walls
• Peeling tape joints
• Dampness in the basement and periodic water infiltration
• Musty odor, (typically in the basement)
• Loose tiles (floor and wall)
• Bowed walls

Left unresolved, water damaged homes can develop mold and mildew, suffer structural damage and experience continued water damage.

It is critical to identify and rectify the source of unwanted water and replace water damaged drywall and other affected surfaces to prevent further damage from occurring to your home. Andy OnCall’s handymen, are particularly skilled at troubleshooting and repairing even the most difficult water source issues. This is our four-step process for water damaged drywall repair:

1. Identify problem or source of water
2. Remove water damaged drywall
3. Dry and treat wet areas
4. Install new drywall

1. Identify the Problem or Source of Water

Before your drywall water damage repair is done, the cause of water damage must be identified and resolved. The following are areas where we commonly find water issues:

At times, the source of water damage is difficult to track down. Water can enter in one place and run down to another before penetrating the wall or ceiling. Identifying the exact source of water often requires removing wallboard to allow us to inspect behind suspected areas.

2. Remove Water Damaged Drywall

After the source of water is located and dealt with, the remaining water damaged drywall is removed. It is crucial to remove all damaged drywall, as sheetrock retaining water could facilitate mold growth. Wet, damaged insulation and any soft, spongy, rotted wood is also removed.

3. Dry and Treat Wet Areas

Once the water damaged drywall has been removed the interior wall are exposed, allowing air to circulate and begin the drying process. Dehumidifiers and fans help with air circulation and expedites the drying process. It is essential to completely dry all wet areas thoroughly.

After the wet areas are completely dry, they should be inspected for mold and mildew. Affected wood can be easily cleaned and treated with antimicrobial and mold prevention products.

4. Install New Drywall

After the affected areas are properly treated and dried, the framework is replaced with fresh wood and walls are reinsulated. New drywall is then installed. It may be a good idea to install water-resistant drywall if this is an area prone to moisture.

New drywall is finished following this three-step process:

1. Tape: Drywall tape covers the seams and gaps left between drywall sheets.
2. Block Coat: First coat of joint compound applied over the drywall tape.
3. Skim Coat: Final layer of joint compound applied over the block coat. Numerous skim coats are needed for repair work.

After finish work is completed, walls are sanded, primed and painted. We suggest painting all affected walls and ceilings from corner to corner to ensure complete color matching.

We will repair your drywall crack(s) promptly and affordably with the best quality available. After the repair we will texture the repaired area to blend with the existing wall or ceiling texture so your drywall will look GREAT again! You won’t even be able to see where the repair was.