Drywall repair How to properly repair your drywall damaged by water
If you see black mold forming on your drywall or if you notice that your drywall is damaged by water, your home may leak. It can be plumbing leaks or roofing. This may not seem like a serious problem, but you should keep in mind that water damage on dry walls is a project that you must take seriously, on which you must also prioritize.
If you are looking for water damage on your drywall, look for warning signs, such as swelling, cracks, sagging and discoloration. Remember that water can easily drip and run down the inside pipes of your house and can also flow from a leaking roof to your drywall. That's why you should look for damage on walls and ceilings and you should not be surprised to find damage further away from the leak.
If you think or are aware that your home has been damaged by water, you must immediately prioritize this type of problem. Why?
The wet drywall will be able to provide an ideal environment for the growth of mold and mold, which can really complicate your drywall repair project.
When you only find small cracks, water damage can be easily repaired. All you need is a pre-mixed, ready-to-use compound that's perfect for this kind of situation. This particular compound can be easily applied with a putty knife. For this structural patch, you can use a strip of fiberglass tape. Use this on the area where you want to apply the sealant.
However, if you find a larger repair, you will need to do a lot more structural work.
The first step in repairing large portions of water-damaged drywall is to completely remove the affected area. You will need a jigsaw or manual saw for drywall. When removing the water-damaged drywall patch, be on the lookout for mold. You should keep in mind that drywall already affected by mold or mildew can not be saved and surrounding areas need to be thoroughly cleaned before any repairs.
You must also make sure that before you start repairing your drywall, it must be completely dry. Try using an industrial fan to circulate the air in the area. You can also use a dehumidifier. These things will ensure complete drying.
Once the area is completely dry, the next step is to get a drywall patch that you will use to replace the piece of drywall removed because of water damage. You will find that there are now water-resistant drywall available for sale. This is basically your best option when repairing drywall that is damaged by water. For large holes, you can use a plywood backing.
After screwing or nailing the replacement patch to the hole, secure the edges of the joint with fiberglass gypsum tape and cover it with drywall mud. Once the mud has hardened, you must sand it to smooth the surface and paint it so that the repaired area will melt into the rest of the wall.
