Do your walls have any strange stains, or does your house nonetheless smell musty? These can be warning signs of water damage on drywalls, which is a serious problem that has to be addressed.
When water from a flood, leaking pipes, or a leaky roof enters your home, it can cause water damage to drywall.
Homes with high humidity and unrestrained moisture are more likely to experience deterioration and damage to drywall, which is also known as gypsum board, sheetrock, wallboard, or plasterboard.
If there is water damage to the drywall, take immediate action to prevent the spread of mould and mildew. After being exposed to moisture for 48 hours, the drywall may start to develop mould.
Noticeable Signs Of Water Damage On Drywall
It’s critical to identify the signs of water damage on drywall to prevent the damage as soon as possible. But how can a single area show signs of water damage on drywall?
Mold Growth On Drywall
Mould growth on your drywalls is a major sign of water damage. Moist drywalls are the perfect place to grow mould because the fungus thrives in moist surroundings.
As soon as you see any mould growth, you must address the water problem and get rid of the mould right away to stop it from growing.
Visible Stains On Drywall
A visible stain’s presence is one of the most striking signs of water damage on drywalls. If you notice any strange signs, it can be a sign of seepage or leakage of water behind the drywalls.
Discolouration On Drywall
Continued exposure to moisture in the affected area might cause discolouration or fading of damaged drywall. Moisture leads to both mould growth and damp drywall, which happen when the affected area is left wet for an extended period.
Paint Flaking Or Peeling Drywall
Paint might begin to flake off and lose its adhesion due to moisture seeping through the drywalls. This warning sign should not be disregarded because it often indicates an underlying problem that requires immediate attention.
Rather than a fresh coat of paint, this problem calls for new drywall.
Warping Drywall
Despite being quite strong, drywall can become more flexible than usual when there is an accumulation of moisture. As a result, bulging or warping is an obvious sign that the drywall has water damage.
Simple remedies for minor warping include buffing out the uneven surface and drying out the afflicted area. But severe damage will need replacing the drywall.
It is advisable to deal with the water leak before replacing or repairing it if you want to prevent the problem from happening again.
Cracks On Drywall
Instead of the paint on its surface flaking and peeling, water-damaged drywall may begin to crack. Even though the surface may not seem or feel moist drywall cracks frequently have irregular patterns and mortar deterioration. If there are several cracks in the drywall, it’s essential to replace the entire drywall; however, small damage can be repaired.
Soft Drywall
If you lightly press your drywalls and feel a spongy or mushy texture, you may have water damage. When drywall is exposed to moisture, it weakens.
Finding the degree of the damage and its underlying cause requires you to look into soft places on the walls more thoroughly.
Water Seeping On The Drywall
Walls with water stains indicate that your property’s moisture content could cause significant damage to your property. There may be a build-up of water droplets on the drywall and puddles on the floor below the damaged area. A room that has water seeping through the drywall may feel more humid than other areas of the structure.
Musty or Moldy Smells
Your home may have hidden water damage if it smells musty or mouldy. Mould growth behind the drywalls may be the cause of a long-lasting musty smell, even if there aren’t any obvious signs of water damage.
If you ignore these smells, you could end up with health problems and more property damage.
Damaged Flooring
If there is water damage to your drywalls beneath its line of sight, flooring could be able to warn you. For signs of water damage, look for wobbly floorboards as well as dry damage where a wall meets the floor.
Increased Water Bill
Every month, check the water bill versus the previous one. There’s a strong probability that you leak if your routines haven’t changed but your water usage has noticeably increased.
This may be causing internal drywall water damage that you are now unaware of.
Common Causes of Water Damage On Drywall
Many things, such as the following, may cause water damage to drywall:
- Appliance Problems
- Foundation cracks
- Improper grading
- Insufficiently sealed doors or windows
- Natural disasters (prolonged rain, floods)
- Plumbing systems or pipeline leaks
- Roof leaks
- Water seeping in from the outside or flooding
Recognizing the common cause of the water damage is essential for efficient repair as well as preventing similar occurrences in the future.
Prevention Tips For Water Damage On Drywall
Take note of the following tips for preventing water damage to your drywalls:
- Caulk drywalls, windows, and doors, for protection against water intrusion.
- Learn as much as you can about preventing water damage and recovering from it.
- Maintain clear and unclogged gutters and downspouts to stop water from backing up and leaking.
- Make sure the area around the foundation of your house is properly drained to prevent water from leaking into the walls.
- Make sure you routinely check plumbing systems for leaks and promptly fix any that you discover.
Conclusion
Repairing water damage can be extremely costly and finding the cause of the problem and addressing it can sometimes be challenging. Therefore, if you notice any signs of water damage on drywall, your first call should be to a professional plumber.
Your professional plumber will find the cause of any leaks or flooding, stop it immediately fix any damage, and then provide you with a professional water damage restoration service to help you get your property back in shape.
