Living on the Gulf Coast means that conditions are generally wet and humid. With humid conditions comes a slew of potential water damage issues to your property. Many homeowners who want to prevent water damage to their homes wonder what can happen to drywall if it gets wet.
What happens when drywall gets wet?
Drywall is made from gypsum, a material that’s highly absorbent. All it takes is one leaky pipe or pipe joint to cause lasting water damage. Drywall loses its structural integrity when it gets wet and becomes soft, making it weak and susceptible to mold growth. Hidden mold thrives inside wall voids and can infect studs and other wooden building materials, compromising the structural integrity of the home or property.
What to do if you have a water leak in your home
If you experience a burst pipe, water leak, or flooding in your home, turn off your water main and do your best to clean up the water. Place floor fans on high throughout the home to circulate air. This will help the drywall to begin drying, thereby preventing mold growth. But be sure to call a restoration and recovery expert like Restoration and Recovery Contractors of America to come out as soon as possible to not only dry and clean up the water, but to also assess the water damage, formulate a plan to restore or remove the drywall, address possible mold and mildew damage.
What do I do with water-damaged drywall?
More often than not, the water-damaged drywall is going to have to be replaced. Regardless of the cause, water damage must be addressed quickly in order to prevent further damage down the road. When drywall absorbs too much water it can also begin to bow and change shape as sections of the wall can begin to swell or cave in.
If your drywall is exposed to flooding or a burst pipe, and has had time to get saturated, you are most likely looking at removal and replacement. A blister in the paint on your ceiling or wall, however, does not necessarily mean the drywall can’t be saved. Place buckets under any damaged ceilings or walls and pop the water bubble with a screwdriver or screw to release the water. Wait a day and then test to see if the drywall is hard and stiff. If you’re unsure, it’s best to call a professional water damage restoration tech to ensure your drywall is safe.
Drywall damage, depending on its location, can lead to collapsed ceilings, structural damage, and mold/mildew growth. The best thing you can do in this situation is call our team of professionals. We specialize in water damage restoration and mold remediation. Our decades of experience has taught us how to deal with these issues in an efficient, reliable way that minimizes its impact on your home.
For more information about treating drywall water damage, give us a call at (850) 601-3029 or contact us. Our highly trained and fully certified residential and commercial restoration techs are available 24/7 and we make it a priority to respond within 1-3 hours.
