The Warning Signs of Drywall Water Damage

There are so many ways your drywall can take on water damage, but once it has, you’ll see the signs of it. It’s always important to tackle it as soon as possible, as you don’t want to see it cause more problems in your home. Here’s how to spot that water damage and what you can do about it.

What Causes Drywall Water Damage?

There are several ways that your drywall can take on water damage. You’ll want to look out for any damage if you’ve experienced any of the following:

• Storms: If you’ve had any extreme weather in your area, such as heavy rains, floods, hurricanes, or so on, then you’ll be at risk of flooding in your area. If the roof has become damaged, rainwater can get in and start making its way down your home. If there has been flooding, it’ll make its way through the basement or ground floor.
• Faulty plumbing: This is a very common cause of water damage. Faulty plumbing can include burst pipes, leaking pipes, ruptured appliance hose lines, faulty air conditioners, and water tanks leaking. If you’ve gone through any of these problems, you need to be on the lookout for water damage.
• Foundation leaks: If you’re experiencing problems with your foundations, you’ll want to look for drywall water damage. It’s essential to take care of your foundations, inspecting them regularly to ensure that issues aren’t starting to form. When there are issues with the foundation, you’ll see that the cracks will allow water through, and that’s when the damage will start.

How to Spot the Warning Signs

So, what signs have water gotten into your drywall and is starting to cause damage? There are a few different signs that you should be looking out for, including:

1. Peeling paint or wallpaper: This is a common sign that water has started to get into your drywall. You may see that your wallpaper or paint is starting to bubble up or peel off the wall entirely. If you see this, it is a real cause for concern. If the water has made its way to the surface layer of the drywall, then the water has been there for some time and so needs to be handled quickly.
2. Discoloration or fading: This is another common sign you must look out for. You’ll see affected areas of your wall are discoloring or fading as the moisture inside affects it. If it’s allowed to stay this way for too long, that’s when you’ll see mold starting to grow. You need to avoid that if you can, as it can cause health issues. Typically, you’ll see this happen in areas without insulation or damp insulation subjected to regular moisture.
3. A musty or mildew-like smell: Are you coming home and finding that your home smells musty? No matter how clean you keep your home, it may be in the walls if you can’t get rid of the smell. You mustn’t ignore it, as that’s a surefire sign that mold is starting to grow in the walls. You can’t ignore it as it can only spread from there and cause more problems. Some may use a dehumidifier to get rid of the smell, which will work and keep the moisture levels down. However, you need to track down where the smell is coming from and tackle it.
4. Bulging or sagging drywall: This is another very obvious sign that you have water in your drywall. It will be highly visible and wet to the touch. There could likely be a large leak behind the wall, which will stress your home as a whole. If you’re seeing this, you must address it as soon as possible.

Repairing Drywall Water Damage

Now you know how to spot the signs of water damage to drywall, you need to know how to fix it. Our top tip is to contact a professional if you’re unsure where the damage is coming from or what to do. They can pinpoint it for you and ensure the damage is fully fixed.

• Tackle the source of the water: The very first thing you need to do is handle what’s causing the water leak in the first place. Have the leak fixed before you do anything else. After all, it’s no good fixing the drywall if you’re going to get more water damage down the line.
• Find the damaged drywall: In some cases, you’re not going to have a visible sign that the drywall is damaged. If you’re unsure, follow the musty smell to where it’s the strongest, and use a moisture meter to pinpoint where it is.
• Wear appropriate safety wear: You must have the right safety equipment when working on your drywall, especially if there’s a chance of mold. You’ll need goggles, a face mask, and gloves as you work on it.
• Cut the affected drywall out: The best way to repair it is to replace it. Cut the section out, taking two inches more than what is affected by moisture to ensure that none is left in.
• Replace the drywall: Once the affected section is removed, you’ll be able to replace it with brand-new drywall. Cut new drywall to fit, and fit it into the gap, securing it with drywall screws. Add insulation if required at this point too. Finish with a joint compound to get a smooth finish.

If there’s damage to your drywall thanks to a leak, it won’t always be obvious right away. However, you can quite easily spot it once you know the signs. Once you find damaged drywall, don’t waste any time replacing it. The sooner it’s replaced, the less damage that moisture can do to your home.

The Bottom Line

These are some signs: how to spot the warning signs and repair water damage to your drywall. you may not have this problem yet, but these tips will be helpful at some point in the future.