Whether from a flood, burst pipe, roof leak, or something else, all types of water damage have a few things in common. You’re going to deal with damaged drywall, flooring, and other structures in your house. Afterward, you might experience a mold or mildew problem. And aside from the obvious structural damages, you will be forced to accept or repair cosmetic flaws. In most cases, homeowners do want to make those repairs.
Drywall can be especially suspectible to water damage. It begins to lose its structural integrity fast, and unsightly stains will persist long after the water is gone. And even if you can’t see inside the walls, you can bet there will be mold spores rapidly proliferating. Before long, you won’t need to see the mold to know it’s there. You’ll definitely start notice a mildew odor!
In some cases, drywall can be repaired. It just depends upon the level of moisture in the area. Once you’ve addressed the cause of the damage and have stopped the flow of water, it’s time to assess your drywall with a moisture reader. A reading above one percent indicates a severely damaged wall.
Your next step is to use air-moving equipment to begin drying out the affected area. Seal up the room, making it airtight, and use large fans and dehumidifiers to aid the evaporation process. It might take three or more days to completely dry the room, and then you can determine how to proceed with the drywall.
A professional will assess the state of your drywall, and determine if a simple fresh coat of paint and perhaps some mold remediation is all you need. But in many cases, sections of the drywall are too damaged and must be replaced. Rely upon the advice of an experienced professional, because they last thing you want after a water damage event is to confront crumbling walls or mold-related health issues months in the future.
If you experience a water damage event, call us right away to help you get the area dried out. At that point we can help you assess the damage to drywall and other structures.
