Knowing how to replace a piece of water damaged drywall can help you quickly solve the problem.
Water-damaged drywall does not necessarily require replacement. You may be able to save it depending on the amount of penetration of water and how immediately you solve the situation.
Things To Know Before Repairing Water Damaged Drywall
Water damage to drywall may occur from various sources in and around your house. The sources range from minor incidents that are readily fixed and dried to a heavy soaking that produces significant saturation and severe damage within your walls.
Regardless of its source, water damage must be handled immediately and properly. Wet drywall, if left unchecked, can cause dangerous collapsed ceilings and toxic mold damage, and mildew.
Always determine the water source and stop it as soon as feasible. Before attempting to dry or repair the drywall, this must be completed.
Signs Of Water Damaged Drywall
Water damage is usually an indication that your drywall needs to be replaced. On the other hand, water-damaged drywall is not always straightforward to identify.
However, you can check a few things to determine if your drywall requires a fast dry or a complete replacement.
When drywall absorbs too much water, it distorts over time. Examine the screws and bolts surrounding your drywall to check whether they have gotten loose.
If your drywall seems squishy or softer than usual, this is another obvious sign of water damage. Mold can develop within a few days if water seeps into the drywall.
In such a scenario, you’ll need to hire a contractor to take it out and replace it. The following are some of the situations that necessitate drywall replacement:
1. Heavy soaking
If your home has been flooded, your drywall has most likely absorbed substantial water. In such an instance, restoring your drywall to its former state is impossible.
When highly saturated drywall is not handled, it can bend or even collapse. As a result, drywall replacement is your best choice for preserving the structural integrity of your home.
2. Dampening of light
While drywall is not the most water-resistant material, it can survive small amounts of dampness. On the other hand, any spills should be cleaned up soon away.
You may use a kitchen towel to wipe the water off the surface and a small fan to speed up the drying process.
3. Mold infestation
While minor water damage may not be a primary concern, mildew and mold may quickly grow on moist walls. Mold can pose serious health concerns to anybody living in your home, including headaches, lethargy, and respiratory problems.
The polluted region will appear as tiny black dots on the wall’s surface. If you see mold forming on your drywall, you must contact a professional immediately to get it replaced.
How To Repair A Water Damaged Drywall
Water damage within your walls might cause severe damage that will necessitate extensive repairs. You need to know the warning indications of a moisture problem in your house to get it corrected before it worsens.
Below are the steps on how to repair your water damaged drywall:
Step #1. Clear the area
Water-soaked furniture and building materials should be removed. Also, remove any wet carpet or padding, or at the very least pull it back to enable the floor to dry.
Step #2. Safety first
Wear a mask and gloves when removing drywall since some older drywall joint compound includes asbestos. Additionally, before ripping up wall material, remove any non-affected electrical outlets.
First, turn off the circuit breakers. Remove and discard the outlets if they have been flooded.
Step #3. Eliminate damaged materials
Remove the wall material to four feet if the water level is less than two and a half feet. This comes in handy when replacing entire sheets of drywall.
Remove the wall material to a height of eight feet or the ceiling junction, whichever is higher, if the water level is higher than two and a half feet.
Inspect the walls if you don’t know what the water level is. Remove any drywall that is damaged, cracking, or sagging.
However, if it’s only moist and the water source is clean, you should be able to dry it.
Depending on the amount of water damage, you may also need to remove damaged wall studs, floors, cabinets, and ceilings. It’s now time to cut the drywall that has been damaged.
Read the following article on how to repair water damaged door facing later on.
Step #4. Dry the water damaged walls
Start drying the area surrounding and within the wall. Open the windows and doors and use high-efficiency blowers and dehumidifiers.
Increase air movement behind walls with fans and leave them running for at least two days to allow the studs and flooring to dry thoroughly. It is essential to avoid punching holes in walls.
This approach does not aid in the drying of the wall. Furthermore, it makes drywall restoration more difficult.
Step #5. Deodorize and sanitize
Use a chemical sanitizer to prevent mold and germs from growing between the walls. Bleach should be avoided since it does not prevent mold from forming.
To get rid of strong scents, use an ozone machine for at least eight hours. While the ozone machine is functioning, please leave the area.
Replacing A Piece of Water Damaged Drywall
Step #1. Measure the size of the hole to determine how much to cut out of a fresh sheet of drywall. Wrap four drywall clips around the hole and attach them with a drywall screw.
Step #2. After that, insert the drywall pieces and fasten them using drywall clips. Avoid over tightening the drywall screws.
Step #3. To integrate it with the existing drywall, use drywall tape and joint compound. Finally, for a smooth wall surface, sand the area many times.
Step #4. The final step in fixing water damaged drywall is to paint it. Ensure first that the joint compound is dry, as it will contain a lot of moisture.
To help seal the area, paint the wall with primer, then paint the entire wall to ensure that the color is consistent throughout.
If your wall has wallpaper, check this article on how to replace water damaged wallpaper to know more.
Conclusion
Water may damage your house, particularly if your walls become damp. As a result, the drywall begins to deteriorate.
Now you know how to replace a piece of water damaged drywall, you can now start repairing your damaged drywall using the steps provided above.