Despite your best efforts, it appears there is a leak inside your home. You can see that water is dripping down behind a wall of your house, and now you are scrambling to stop the problem before it gets worse. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you move to fix this issue and restore your home to its previous condition.
Find the Leak First
Before you can worry about the damage to the wall, you first have to make sure water stops leaking in. It's possible you might need a contractor to help you with this, but a common culprit is a pipe that started leaking behind your drywall. Once the leak is found and stopped, it's time to look at the damage that was left behind.
Beware of Mold
It's important that you move quickly when you have damp or soaked drywall because mold can develop very quickly, especially if the wet drywall is in a dark and cool place like the basement. You can try spraying an anti-mold cleaner, just as something to slow mold down until the wall can be properly repaired.
Get Hacking
If your drywall is now water-logged, you might have to physically remove it from your house and install a new section. You may be able to pry it away with your hands if is soaked, as especially wet drywall can crumble when pressure is applied. If you need some extra help, you can try a small crowbar or hammer and hack the damaged drywall away. Again, this might be a task better left to a professional if you don't have previous experience.
Patch the Drywall, Then Add New Primer and Paint
Once you are sure all of the damaged drywall is removed, you can put your new piece of drywall in place and begin the patching process. You'll of course also want to add primer to the finished drywall and a fresh coat of paint that looks the same as the rest of the wall.
A Water Restoration Company May Be Able to Help
If this all sounds too complex for your tastes, you may be able to get a water damage restoration firm to assist you. In some cases, it might even be possible to save your dampened drywall without having to remove it. A water damage restoration company will likely get the job done faster than you and leave you with a wall that looks as good as new.
Having your home damaged by flooding, a fire, mold growth, or termites can be incredibly stressful. You rely on professionals to repair the damage and restore your home to its former glory. Yet, even though the work is being done by contractors, you want to understand what is happening and what changes are being made to your home throughout the restoration process.
You can learn all of that right here on this website. We've written these articles with homeowners in mind, focusing on the repair and renovation issues that are most relevant these days. Find guides to quick DIY projects, tips for hiring a renovation contractor, and even advice for selecting new materials when your home is being transformed.