How to Fix and Prevent Drywall Water Damage

If you’ve ever had to deal with water damage in your home, you know how frustrating and costly it can be. But there are ways to fix drywall water damage — and even prevent it from happening in the first place. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to do just that. So whether you’re dealing with existing water damage or want to prevent it from happening in the future, read on for some useful information.

If you have drywall water damage, the first thing you need to do is remove any wet materials.

Drywall water damage can be extremely concerning, particularly if you have a drywall garage. Moisture of any kind can lead to mold growth, brittle and rotting drywall or frames, and can lead to flooding. The first thing you need to do if drywall water damage is suspected is to remove any wet materials immediately. This will help reduce long-term damage and allow you to dry out the drywall as quickly as possible. Once materials are removed, you can begin to work on drying out the drywall itself, which can include using air movers, space heaters and/or dehumidifiers. Position these at a safe distance and angle them so they can reach the wet drywall, but be very careful of the surroundings; you don’t want to cause any heat damage to healthy drywall, and you certainly don’t want to accidentally start a fire.

Dehumidifiers and fans are helpful for drywall water damage, but be sure that, after removing sources of humidity, you wipe up and dry any pools of standing water with a dry cloth or mop. A dehumidifier will disperse moisture in the molecules present in the air, but if something has standing water, it won’t be enough. We’d also recommend placing a fan nearby to circulate dry air and make sure that the area dries out faster. This combination is effective for preventing further drywall water damage.

Once the area is dry, you can start repairing the drywall.

To make sure drywall water damage doesn’t reoccur in the future, it’s important to locate the source of the water and repair or replace it accordingly.

Once your drywall is dry, you can start making repairs. If you caught the wet drywall within a reasonable amount of time, you might be able to simply dry it and be done with it. However, if it was wet for a while before you noticed or were able to dry it, or if the drywall is rotting, is infested with mold, or if it simply has lost all its rigidity, you will likely have to at least cut out the portion that was damaged. It’s important that you spend this time examining the drywall to make this determination so you don’t miss signs of damage or mold. If you neglect this, you risk allowing it to get worse, resulting in future, and often more costly, repairs.

If you determine that the wet portion of the drywall needs to be replaced, follow these quick steps:

• Measure how much you should remove, then add a bit of the margins to ensure you do not leave behind ruined drywall
• Use chalk or some other material to mark your cutting line
• Using a utility knife, carefully cut out the section
• Carefully remove the section
• Note: if there is any insulation behind the drywall, it is likely that it is wet as well and is now ruined. At least remove it and examine it, because if it is wet and it is left in place, it could lead to mold growth. With few exceptions, expect that the insulation needs to be replaced as well.

To prevent future water damage, make sure to fix any leaks in your home and keep an eye out for signs of moisture.

If you’re not careful, drywall water damage from leaks can cost an arm and a leg to repair. It’s important to stay on top of any signs of moisture. Ignoring minor weak spots in your walls and floors now can lead to expensive repairs down the road. Keeping an eye out for discoloration or bubbling, as well as regularly checking locations prone to leaks like faucets, toilets and windows, can go a long way in preventing drywall water damage. Common areas of concern are bathrooms and showers, laundry rooms, kitchen sinks, and sump pumps, but the list can be extended to any area where water is found.

Make a habit of looking into all these problem spots around the house and ensure there is no water left unchecked. With careful inspection and diligence, you can prevent most water damage from even occurring!