A common result of when you have a plumbing problem or a leak is water damage to the drywall in your home. However, because water damage will not simply go away, it is a home repair project that should absolutely take priority on your agenda.
Trying to spot water damage? Look for bulging, cracks, sagging and discoloration in the drywall.
Water can easily run and drip along interior pipes, so you should look not only on the walls but also the ceilings when trying to spot water damage. You should not be surprised if you find water damage occurring in a place nowhere near where the leak or plumbing issue is. If you become aware of water damage, it is vitally important that you immediately address the problem. Once drywall has become wet, it will become the ideal environment for mildew and mold to grow and fester, complicating what would normally be a quick fix.
If the damage that you find is only small cracks in the drywall, then the damage from the water will likely be an easy fix. You can buy a ready mixed compound for spackling for this purpose, and they are easily applied using a simple plastic putty knife. You can use a piece of fiberglass mesh tape to provide a better structural patch for the area and then apply the putty over the time. More structural work will be required for larger repair needs.
When you are dealing with a larger portion of drywall that has been water damaged, the first thing that you need to do is to remove all of the material that has been compromised. You should use a drywall hand saw or a jigsaw to remove the damaged areas of the drywall. Drywall that has mold or mildew is not capable of being saved and should simply be thrown away. Use a high intensity fan to air out the area, drying the remaining damaged areas out. The area should be allow to dry for a minimum of twelve hours in order to make sure that the leak has been fixed properly and to ensure that the area is completely free of moisture before continuing with the repairs.
Drywall that has been damaged by water is capable of being repaired using a patch, which is a replacement drywall piece that has been fitted and carefully blended into the existing drywall in order to appear unnoticeable. There are now water resistant forms of drywall, which make the best option when it comes to repairing areas damaged by water. Simply cut the drywall patch and fit it into the area that was previously removed. Fasten the patch with screws or nails to hold it into place, then tape the joints together with fiberglass or paper drywall tape and use drywall mud to cover everything up. Let everything cure for approximately 24 hours, then sand the joints to make sure that the wall surface is completely flat and ready for repainting or retexturing.
Photo Credits: sevensixfive
Originally posted 2009-05-27 13:51:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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