Drywall is a common building material used to finish home interiors.
Drywall is a building material comprised of gypsum plaster between two sheets of fiberglass (or paper) matting. It is the most common material used to finish interior walls to create a smooth finished surface that can be painted or wallpapered. Drywall is highly susceptible to water damage from leaky roofs, pipes or other moisture sources.
Signs of Water Damage
You can often discover drywall damage by observing changes in the texture or coloring of the wall. The first signs of water damage are a coffee-colored stain that moves down the wall where moisture is dripping. Over time, the drywall may bubble or wrinkle where the fiberglass or paper separate from the interior plaster. Drywall that has been exposed to water damage and dried out starts to become brittle, sag and crumble.
Source
If you suspect water damage, you need to find the source of the water before you even think about repairing the wall. Failure to resolve your water issue will result in water damage to the new wall. In addition, you will increase you chances of mold and mildew growing in the walls. The first step in discovering the source is to remove the damaged drywall and look for roof leaks or pipes leaking in the wall behind the drywall. Contact the appropriate home repair person to fix any problem that is causing water damage.
Repairs
When repairing drywall that is damaged from water, check the insulation in the wall before repairing the drywall itself. If the insulation is damp, you should replace this prior to fixing the drywall. If the damaged area is a small section, you may be able to cut another piece of drywall and install it in the old, existing wall. If the damage is too large, you should replace the entire wall. Tape any seams created in the repair and apply several coats of plaster over the drywall to cover it. Once the area is dry, sand it smooth and paint it to match the rest of the room.
Water Damage and Mold
Walls that have been exposed to water damage for extended periods of time may develop a mold or mildew problem. This is a serious health situation that can lead to upper respiratory conditions. If you see one or two small spots of mold, you can clean the area with trisodium phosphate. If there are a lot of black spots or other signs of mold growth, contact a professional mold removal company immediately. The problem may extend beyond the interior of the wall.
Professional Aid
Fixing drywall is not an easy task. Matching your repairs to the rest of the wall with the proper plaster finish may not be as easy as it sounds. When in doubt, call a professional contractor to refinish the wall. While this may cost more in labor fees, the final result should be a well-blended wall with no sign that there was ever any damage.
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