Repair Your Water-damaged DrywallWater damage and drywall are not two terms any homeowner wants to hear put together. Unfortunately, it happens. Keep reading to find out the signs you might have water damage to your drywall and the top reasons why you shouldn't wait to get water damage repaired. If you suspect water damage to your drywall, don't hesitate to give Protek Drywall a call today. Our skilled team can quickly assess your damage and provide you with the best quality drywall installation and repair in Richmond, BC.
Signs of Water Damage in your Walls
The signs of water damage might not always be the most obvious to notice, especially if the damage is minor or the moisture source is concealed. If the damage wasn’t directly caused by flooding then water damage can build up behind the walls without noticing until significant damage has already been caused. Here are a few signs of water damage to drywall:
Soft to the touch:
Drywall is composed of gypsum-based plaster that is held together by paper; when dry, it forms a sturdy board that is strong enough to hold up large picture frames or small shelves. However, when drywall gets wet, it becomes soft and mushy to the touch. For severe water damage, you'll be able to feel the difference simply by pressing your fingers into the wall. If you gently press a screwdriver into the wall and easily perforates the drywall, then there is likely some water damage. |
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Peeling paint:
If drywall is wet, you may visually see the paint or wallpaper peeling away from the drywall. This may present as bubbles and eventually peel as the water dissolves the bonds holding the paint or wallpaper to the drywall. If you find yourself painting or repairing your interior walls often, this is not a good sign and we recommend having our team of drywall installers inspect your drywall.
If drywall is wet, you may visually see the paint or wallpaper peeling away from the drywall. This may present as bubbles and eventually peel as the water dissolves the bonds holding the paint or wallpaper to the drywall. If you find yourself painting or repairing your interior walls often, this is not a good sign and we recommend having our team of drywall installers inspect your drywall.
Ripples in the wall:
This visual indicator of water damage will be even more apparent or dramatic in nature than the peeling paint. When drywall has sustained significant water damage, the structural integrity of the drywall will be compromised and show signs of sagging or ripples, particularly around the edges. This could be a sign that you have water inside your walls and should be inspected by a licensed drywall contractor like Protek Drywall.
This visual indicator of water damage will be even more apparent or dramatic in nature than the peeling paint. When drywall has sustained significant water damage, the structural integrity of the drywall will be compromised and show signs of sagging or ripples, particularly around the edges. This could be a sign that you have water inside your walls and should be inspected by a licensed drywall contractor like Protek Drywall.
Water spots on the ceiling:
When water damage comes from the roof or upstairs into the ceiling, you'll likely notice water spots forming where the water has absorbed into the ceiling drywall. With new water damage, the spots may be wet and continue to grow, or there could be older, dry spots indicating a history of issues. Either way, having this looked at sooner than later could save you on costly repairs.
When water damage comes from the roof or upstairs into the ceiling, you'll likely notice water spots forming where the water has absorbed into the ceiling drywall. With new water damage, the spots may be wet and continue to grow, or there could be older, dry spots indicating a history of issues. Either way, having this looked at sooner than later could save you on costly repairs.
No matter what potential signs of water damage you find in your home, it is important to get them looked at as soon as possible. We get lots of rain during our various seasons in Richmond, BC and so the possibility of water damage isn’t uncommon. Let us help you ensure your home stays free of the issues that come from water damage.
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Reasons Why You Shouldn't Wait to get Water Damage Repaired
If you ignore a patch of wet drywall without tackling the cause, you risk pushing a simple fix into a major renovation. Due to the nature of drywall material, it is susceptible to a phenomenon called 'wicking'; this means the drywall will continue to soak up water and wick it into the wall, causing more damage the longer it is ignored.
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Leaks from outdoors
Even if you have not experienced a flood does not mean that there are no leaks in your foundation or exterior walls. Unexplained water damage in the basement may be due to water seeping from the outdoors. Just a small crack in your foundation or siding can jeopardize the sealed nature of your home, allowing natural ground moisture or rainwater to seep into your home and drywall. In this scenario, a simple drywall replacement will not solve your problem as it is an indicator of a deeper issue in your home's structure. |
Leaks inside your home
Leaky plumbing is another underlying contributor to wet drywall that may appear in both ceilings and walls. It could be caused by something as simple as gaps in the tiles in your shower or behind the kitchen sink splash guard. Depending on the nature or location, the leak and damage may go unnoticed for weeks or months. This sneaky damage should be checked as soon as it is noticed to avoid further damage to both the insulation and drywall. |
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Health concerns
Where there is moisture, there is often mould or rot. Wet drywall and the cool, damp space behind drywall are the perfect places for mould to grow unchecked. You may or may not notice a musty smell before ever seeing the mould on the surface of your walls. When left unchecked, mould spores can circulate from the drywall into other areas of the house, causing health concerns like difficulty breathing, dizziness or headaches. |
Costly repairs
Damage from water is more than just a repair to your drywall. If it comes from your external walls or foundation you also risk damage to your insulation and framing. Some of the signs on your drywall could mean that the water has been there for a while. With mould being the biggest concern, you also risk having rot to your framing which could lead to structural damage throughout your home. The longer the water damage is left unchecked could lead to large renovations. |
For any signs of water-damaged drywall, contact Protek Drywall as soon as possible to arrange an inspection and repair. Our drywall contractor team works consciously towards being as thorough as possible while maintaining and saving as much as we possibly can to keep your repair costs low.
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