Drywall is by far the most common material used on internal domestic walls. It is made out of two thick paper sheets, between which plaster is compressed. More modern types of drywall are made with fiberglass, rather than paper, which is more water resistant. Professionals like Lloyd Claycomb II more and more often use this type of drywall nowadays.
It is quite common for drywall to sustain water damage. The paper that is used to make it is the main cause for this. Paper soaks up water like a sponge, leading to internal damage to the walls and the plaster compressed between it. Unfortunately, this damage is not always visible. This is why you need to know what to look for when checking for water damage.
Telltale Signs of Water Damage
There are some specific things that are often indicative of water damage. Those include:
- Warping and swelling on the wall, noticeable to the touch before the eye.
- Drywall that feels soft to touch.
- Discoloration of carpets, warping of wooden floors, or a residue or film on a concrete floor.
What to Do if You Have Water Damage
If any of the aforementioned three factors are present in your home, then you need to take action. Start by renting a tool that can be placed against your wall, showing how much water is stored in it. This is particularly beneficial in cases where you suspect water damage is present, but you cannot actually visibly see it on your wall yet. Also, if you can see water damage on the drywall and you suspect that there is internal damage, then you can use this tool. Because you cannot see internal damage, there is a chance that it is actually quite significant. This is why water meters, which use radio waves to see where the water is, are so important.
If you are not 100% sure about what you are doing, then it is recommended to call in a professional. They can look at your drywall and find out exactly whether there is damage and, if so, how bad it is. They can also help you to figure out what work will need to be done in order to repair the damage. You do not, however, have the option of simply leaving it. If you do, the situation will only get worse and the eventual repair bill will be much higher.
If you have to repair your drywall following water damage, there are quite a few things that you will have to do. If you can figure out what the actual damage is, you will also have a good idea of how much repairs are required. If you are lucky, the problem is merely cosmetic, meaning that you can simply plaster over the piece of drywall that has been damaged. All in all, however, it is unlikely that it is this simple. Water damage inevitably stems from water escaping from somewhere it shouldn’t be.