Austin Fire and Flood

Signs of Water Damage in Drywall

Water damage is always a big deal, even if it only affects a small part of a house. After flooding, water can settle in the floor, walls, ceiling, and other spaces. Water can also settle in drywall, causing it to rot from within and require water damage repair.

Austin Fire and Flood is the premier flood restoration service in the greater Austin area. The team has several years of experience assessing and repairing water damage from floods, broken pipes, leaking appliances, and more. Today, the team is here to explain when and how homeowners should replace drywall after a flood.

Typical drywall consists of paperboard and gypsum, which do not mix with water very well. In the case of significant flooding, homeowners will likely have to replace the drywall entirely in the affected areas. However, it can be tricky to tell when drywall has water damage, and water can facilitate health hazards like mold, which requires professional mold removal.

Here are some common signs drywall has water damage.

Sagging

The most obvious visual sign of water damage in drywall is sagging. Drywall gypsum absorbs water, causing it to sag and bloat over time. If the drywall absorbs too much water, it won’t be able to support its weight and may fall off its supports.

Homeowners can tell if walls are sagging by looking at the bolts and screws holding them in place. If the wall has extra water weight, there will be stretching and tearing at those points.

Soft Drywall

Another common sign of drywall water damage is if the drywall feels soft and mushy. Water absorption causes the gypsum core to expand, making it less dense and less hard. In some cases, drywall can become so waterlogged that you can actually poke a finger through it.

It’s important to fix waterlogged drywall quickly as it can become a breeding ground for mold, pests, and other harmful substances.

Stains and Discoloration

Water can also cause stains and discoloration in drywall. If parts of the drywall are darker than normal or have a yellowish stain, the culprit is likely water damage. Homeowners can sometimes paint over small sections of discoloration, but make sure to check the extent of the water damage beforehand.

What to Do When Your Drywall Has Water Damage

If drywall has sustained water damage, then homeowners need to act quickly. Ultimately, the best solution is to call a professional flood damage restoration company to renovate and rebuild the damaged sections. However, homeowners can do a few things to minimize the extent of the damage and stop water from spreading to other vulnerable parts of the house.

Find the source of water and stop it. Sometimes, the cause might be a broken pipe or a hole in the exterior wall.
Remove as much standing water as possible with a bucket and rags.
Move any furniture or vulnerable objects away from the damaged area.
Direct a fan to the damp affected areas.

Severe water damage requires professional help. If you have a drywall emergency, Austin Fire and Flood should be your first choice. The company offers 24/7 emergency services, so no matter when a flooding emergency strikes, they can help.