Drywall, the surface of interior walls, and water do not mix well. Should water come in continuous contact with an interior wall, drywall water damage will occur. Discolored, swollen, or spongy wall surfaces indicate drywall water damage. The water may be coming from the exterior, leaking into the house, or the interior, leaking from plumbing or washing and bathing areas. Depending upon the extent of the damage, repairing water damaged drywall is not difficult if a few careful steps are taken.
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Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Locate The Source Of The Leak
The first step to repair water damaged drywall is to locate the source of the water, which may not be immediately nearby. Water moves both horizontally and down. It can efficiently travel long distances in either direction, so it may be necessary to check for sources originating above and across from the damage. Often much of the damaged wallboard must first be removed to fully locate the source.
Once the source is located, the primary objective is to stop the leak to halt further drywall water damage. Only once this is done, can repairing water damaged drywall begin.
Step 2: Remove Damaged Material
All of the remaining damaged drywall material should be cut away until only sound, undamaged drywall is left. It is important to remove all of the damaged board because wet drywall has no integrity and supports mold growth.
Step 3: Dry And Inspect
Once the drywall is removed, the interior of the wall must be dried. It is a good idea to use a fan to ventilate the wall and dry out the wood within. Once dry, a matter of a few hours or days, the wooden studs, wall plates, or flooring should be carefully inspected for mold and decay. Blackened wood surfaces indicate mold, and soft spongy wood indicates decay. Structurally sound but moldy wood should be treated with a mold inhibitor to stop mold growth. Decayed wood needs either replacement or additional support so as maintain structural integrity. If there is doubt about whether any wall part should be replaced, it is wise to consult a professional.
Step 4: Replace And Repair
Replace any wood and use new drywall to cover the hole. If the hole is large, it may be necessary to affix a 2X4 or piece of plywood to the studs to provide a sound surface to attach the drywall to. If the damaged area is in a bathroom or other area prone to dampness, there are a number of water resistant drywall products to use instead of standard drywall. The replacement drywall will need to match the original drywall thickness.
Step 5: Finish
The final step to repair water damaged drywall is to finish the drywall surface. Paper or fiberglass tape is applied over the wallboard joints, and joint compound is applied to make a surface smooth. Two applications of compound are usually necessary. Spending time on this finishing step is well worth it to create a continuous surface that looks like it did originally.
Hello, i am John and have over ten years experience in water damage clean up, water damage restoration and water damage mold. During my career i noticed that a lot of homeowners are uninformed about water damage and it's consequences. This site provides you with how-to guides and lots of information on water damage and everything what's involved.