Steps to repair water damage Clean the area. Before starting a project like this, thoroughly clean the area damaged by water. Clean and scrape off any peeling from the area. For holes larger than 4 inches wide that are not in a stud, cut 1 inch by 3 inch scrap wood to a length that is approximately 2 inches longer than the height of the space.
Insert the cut piece of wood into the hole and use the drill and drywall screws to fix the scrap above and below the hole. Place the drywall patch over the hole. If the patch is too tight in any area, cut it carefully. Using the drill and drywall screws, attach the patch to the piece of wood or posts by sinking the screws approximately 1 inch from the perimeter of the drywall.
Mahogany Taylor is a licensed general contractor with more than 25 years of experience in everything related to construction and interior design, as well as in conceptual design and planning. He has spearheaded several construction and design projects in the Atlanta metropolitan area. There are three main signs of water damage to drywall. The first sign is an obvious discolored water stain on the wall.
Secondly, take a look at the wall for traces of mold. Bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements are all damp places where mold tends to grow. Inspect any wallpaper that may seem unusual. After fixing the fountain that caused the water damage, completely dry the affected wall to prevent it from deteriorating further.
Water damage can be more gradual if there is a slow leak in a pipe, if doors or windows are poorly sealed, or if gutters become clogged. Depending on the type of damage and where the water has penetrated, the drywall must be completely or partially replaced. In addition, if the water damage to the drywall was due to the accumulation of wastewater, immediately consult certified professionals to have it repaired. Some signs that walls are damaged by water include cracked paint or bubbling wallpaper, soft-touch drywall, musty odors, and water rings or stains (often light brown).
Left unaddressed, seemingly minor drywall problems can become a bigger problem and higher costs if water damage is repaired. For professional restoration and reconstruction of water damage to drywall, call your local PuroClean office. In addition, if left untreated, water damage to walls can cause the surface to crack, peel off, or bend. Yes, water-damaged drywall can usually be repaired with a paint scraper to remove all the peeling paint, and then sanding the wall with an increasingly small grain.
