You have to face the fact that we spend a lot of money in order for our home to look as good as it possibly can. However, there are unavoidable circumstances where we get problems with our home. One such problem is leaks, which can cause drywall water damage.
This can be a very serious problem as it can really ruin the wall of your home. Drywall water damage can be caused by leaks or flooding, which can lead to very costly repairs. However, you have to consider that there are ways on how you can fix this kind of problem. So, here are some tips, which will be able to help you solve drywall water damage without spending too much money.
For starters, you have to determine where the leak is coming from and get it fixed or fix it yourself. You need to keep in mind that fixing your water damaged drywall will be useless if it is going to be damaged again by water from leaks that you didnt fix. It can be very frustrating in your part if you get the water damaged drywall fixed only to have it ruined again by the same leak.
When looking for the leak, you need to remember that it is very possible that the leak will not come from the wall. In fact, it may come from the ceiling where the water can travel down the wall.
After getting the leak fixed, the next step is to fix the water damaged drywall. You first need to cut out the damaged part of the drywall in order to begin some air circulation. You may want to use a strong fan to assist with the air circulation as this can be good for air movement and drying. A dehumidifier inside the room or within the area is a great way to reduce moisture content, which can help with the drying process.
It is very important that you should monitor the drying process closely in order for you to avoid dangerous mold to grow on the wall within 24 to 48 hours if the drying process isnt complete. Usually the wall will be mostly dry within 12 hours. If it isnt, cut a larger hole and make sure that the fan is properly placed so that you can achieve proper air circulation on the wall, which will be able to assist in the drying process.
You have to remember that if mold grows on your wall your project will become larger as molds can be very difficult to remove.
However, if you find mold in your project, you should never touch it. Touching it will lead to letting it spread more quickly. Try to contact a mold restoration professional to assist you with the removal of the mold and spores as they have the proper tools and know about the proper techniques in order to remove the mold from your wall.
After everything is already dry and the water leak is already fixed, the next step is to replace the drywall and any studs that are damaged by water. A plywood backer may be needed to cut a large hole and you have to be sure that you wear a protective mask to begin the process of repairing the wall. The chemicals and dust can harm your lungs if you inhale it.
Then, you have to nail in the patch with a water resistant drywall patch to the backer board. After that, you have to place joint compound over the joints and allow it to dry. After the joint compound dries, you have to sand for a smooth finish.
After this process, you can now tape the joint where the drywall comes together with the existing wall by using a drywall tape. Once the edges are smooth and dry, you can now paint the fixed area to match the rest of the wall.
These are some of the tips that you should follow when fixing a water damaged drywall. Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will be able to fix your drywall and make it look like new again.
