Water coming in contact with your walls is not something to take lightly as a homeowner. It may seem that it would take a significant amount of water to do some severe damage to your walls, but it can be just an inch or less. Drywall is very porous and acts as a sponge around moisture.
As soon as there is moisture in the walls, you’re at risk of getting mould. Mould can appear in as little as 12 hours up to 48 hours. The moment you realize there has been water in contact with your walls, you’ll need to get to work.
Understanding the Impact of Water Damage
Water damage can drastically affect the structural integrity of walls. Continuous exposure to water can lead to dampness, bulging, crumbling of plaster or drywall, and the growth of mould and mildew. Such damage goes beyond mere aesthetics, as it threatens the strength of your walls and may lead to more expensive restoration jobs if left unattended.
How can you tell there has been drywall water damage?
There are a few different indicators that your walls have sustained water damage. Some of the early signs of water damage on walls are that if you’ve noticed that spots on your walls appear darker or lighter (depending on the paint colour), you could have water damage. When the water is absorbed, the walls will become damp, leading to discolouration. Water damage can also show yellow or brown stains, which can reflect water from a slow leak somewhere.
If you notice a change in your paint, like bubbling or peeling, or if your wallpaper is flaking off, it could be an indicator of water damage. If you’ve noticed this is happening in your home, definitely do a thorough inspection for water damage. You may only need a new interior paint job in other cases. Home Painters Toronto would be happy to help!
When you have a serious water issue, like a burst pipe or a flooded basement, the water damage may be so bad that it causes the drywall to break, crumble or sag. In this case, you’ll likely want to bring in a professional team who can help get your drywall replaced and repainted, so it’s as good as new.
Assessing the Severity of Damage
To understand the extent of water damage repair needed, the severity of the damage must be accurately assessed.
- Minor Damage: If the water damage is limited to surface dampness and peeling paint or wallpaper, prompt drying and repainting might suffice.
- Moderate Damage: More prolonged dampness may result in swelling, staining, or buckling drywall. In such cases, portions of the wall may need to be cut out and replaced.
- Severe Damage: If the structural integrity of the wall is compromised due to rot or extensive mould growth, complete wall replacement could be necessary.
When does drywall need to be replaced?
Wet drywall doesn’t need to be replaced 100% of the time. Suppose you have a small amount of water that has barely soaked into your walls. In that case, you should be in good shape if you get to it quickly and can quickly and efficiently ventilate the area. With fans and windows, you should be able to take care of the problem easily without doing much work.
A good rule of thumb to follow is the more water there is, the more likely you’ll need to repair it. The longer it’s left, and if you can’t get it completely dry in a short time, it’s more likely you’ll need to repair it.
How to repair water damaged drywall
If you are comfortable taking on the DIY project to replace your drywall, or there’s only a small area that’s affected, here’s what you’ll need:
- Bucket
- Soap
- Towels
- Baking Soda
- Bleach
- Drywall Mud/Joint Compound
- Spray Bottle
- Pump
- Wet-Dry Vacuum
- Heavy Duty Fans
- Structural Drying Dehumidifier
- Drywall Tape
- Paintbrush
- Roller
- Putty Knife
- Drywall Screws
- Replacement Drywall
You should anticipate a five-day timeline for this project. Suppose you aren’t well-versed in drywall repair. In that case, we recommend hiring a professional, as you don’t want to miss any affected areas, leading to mould. Which can cause many health issues.
Step One: Stop any Leaks and Clean up the Water
When burst pipes or flooding occurs, you’ll want to get a plumber to your home immediately. Mitigating any water damage will come from quickly stopping any leakage and cleaning up the water as soon as you can. As we mentioned, water will soak into walls like a sponge, so time is of the essence.
Turning off your water valves will stop the flow of any more water coming in contact with your walls if it’s a pipe issue. Once you’ve stopped the leak, cleaning up the water as quickly as possible will be your next step. If you have a water pump, this will be a massive help in this situation. Otherwise, you can rent one from an equipment rental company in most cases.
You can also use a wet-dry vac if you can’t get your hands on a pump. If you have a lot of water to clean up, ensure you’re emptying the vacuum often, or it’ll overflow. If you’re in a pinch and you don’t have any equipment, use towels and a bucket to remove the water by hand.
Step Two: Dry Down the Walls
Once the water is removed, you’ll want to dry the walls with your heavy-duty fans and dehumidifiers. If a lot of water damage is sustained, you’d need to remove the drywall quickly, but if you can save it, you’ll need to have high-powered fans.
It can easily take up to 24 hours to completely dry out your walls.
Step Three: Remove Water Damaged Drywall
Drywall acts like a sponge, so removing the damaged drywall immediately will help stop the spread of water. You’ll want to remove an additional 2 inches or so of drywall beyond the water damage and any spots that are sagging, crumbling, or cracked.
Any additional damage to studs, cabinets, or ceilings should be removed as well.
Step Four: Disinfect
Next, you will want to disinfect your remaining drywall. Since the water from the leaks could be contaminated, use bleach mixed with water to clean up any affected areas. You can use with a rag or put it in a spray bottle and apply it that way.
Create extra ventilation to deodorize the area as well. If there are some lingering and strong odours, put some baking soda around the room and vacuum it up the next day.
Step Five: Repair and Repaint
Any damage or cracks smaller than ¼ inch wide can be patched with drywall mud. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace the whole piece.
Once you’ve replaced the drywall and sanded the area, you’ll need to repaint it. Opt for a stain-blocking primer to help prevent future extensive damage, as it can help deter the walls from soaking up too much water.
Finding the Right Professional Help
Choosing the right professionals can have a significant impact on the efficiency and outcome of your repairs. Ensure you choose who to call for water damage in the wall. They should be a dependable company with positive reviews and feedback that provides comprehensive solutions, from damage assessment to restoration and prevention.
Conclusion: Take Action, But Do So Wisely
The key point to remember is – water damage to your walls isn’t a “wait and see” situation. It’s an “assess and act” task. However, don’t let the fear of a daunting task prevent you from taking the necessary action. You’re not alone in this.
With the right knowledge, assistance, and approachability, you can feel empowered to transform your damaged walls back to their former glory—and even beyond.
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If you’ve experienced water damage and you’re looking to have your drywall repaired, call Home Painters Toronto. We can repair and replace damaged drywall and provide a professional paint job that will bring your room back to life. We use only the highest-quality materials while giving you the best price. Our friendly and trustworthy team of experts will get the job done right the first time. Avoid spending your valuable time and extra money and hire the best team of professionals in the Toronto area with Home Painters Toronto. Our team of experts can take care of your drywall project and get your home looking better than before with a fresh coat of paint. We specialize in drywall repair and interior painting. Please call us at 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto.comm to get your FREE quote today. And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below!
