Repairing water-damaged walls can be hard. In addition to the leak, you also need to take care of the damage. A leaking wall needs immediate attention as it can cause potential damage to the structure, not to mention the paint. Moreover, it leads to mold and mildew formation and can become expensive to repair if left unattended.

So, it’s always a good idea to fix water-damaged walls no matter where they may have occurred. Now, you can do this by yourself or seek the help of a professional such as Water Damage Near Me. 

However, before that, you ought to know what causes water damage in the wall?

Drywall: Signs of Water Damage in Wall

There are many ways to tell if you have a water-damaged wall, including: 

  1.     Musty smells
  2.     Mold growth
  3.     Stains on the walls, ceilings, and floors.
  4.     Warping
  5.     Bleeding Paint

1. Musty Smells

The musty smell that you can sense is one of the primary signs you have a water-damaged wall. When excess water gets into the walls, they emit a musty smell that the other building materials such as sheetrock, wood, and drywalls tend to pick up. Also, there are spaces or cavities between the walls prone to mold or mildew growth. As suggested, if you don’t remove the molds, they can spread to the other parts of the house.

So, if you notice a musty smell coming from your walls, you can ascertain that there is mold growth, and you must sort the situation out without further due.

2. Mold Growth

Mold usually develops with excessive moisture, such as in the kitchen, bathrooms, and the basement. However, if you see mold growth in areas with no plumbing fixtures, water damage has occurred behind the walls covering them.

3. Stains

Another sign that tells you of a water-damaged wall is the stains. When your walls leak, the sheetrock absorbs water, and you can notice patches forming on them. If not resolved, these will only continue to get bigger and worse.

So, if you notice stains on your walls and that they are getting bigger and worse, keep in mind that you have a plumbing leak that you must fix immediately.

Also, remember that you will notice stains on the walls and the floors and ceilings when you have a leaking wall. These stains remind you of water-damaged walls that you must fix immediately, by yourself, or by contacting an expert such as Water Damage Near Me.

4. Warping

Warping occurs when the walls absorb excessive moisture and bend or curve, causing structural damage, and structurally damaged walls can be expensive to repair.

So, if you notice any signs of warping, your walls leak, and you need to resolve the situation as soon as possible before they suffer structural damage.

5. Peeling Paint

When moisture accumulates behind your walls due to a plumbing leak, it can cause bubbling around that area, leading to the paint or wallpaper coming off. You will notice this along the seams where the wallpaper separates and flakes.

If the paint or wallpaper flakes, you have a hidden leak between your walls.

There are many ways to know if you have a water-damaged wall other than the ones mentioned above. You can try this simple trick to ascertain if you have a leak behind or between your walls.

 

  1.     Turn off all the taps, faucets, and other household appliances that rely on water.
  2.     Note your water meter reading.
  3.     Leave the water supply turned off for about three hours and check the water meter reading again.
  4.     There is a leak if the reading indicates that water is still used even after cutting off the supply.

How to Repair Water-Damaged Wall?

So, how to fix water-damaged walls? While seeking the help of an expert such as Water Damage Near Me sounds like a better option, you can as well do it by yourself, especially if it is minor. So, when you have a water leak problem in your walls, you can follow these steps to fix it.

  1. Fix the leak
  2. Repair the drywall
  3. Take care of the mold
  4.  Repaint the walls
  5. Clean the area

1. Fix the Leak

When you have a water leak problem in your walls, the first step is finding the source and thinking of possible fixes. Be sure to repair the leak as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your house or property.

So, once you have identified where the leak has occurred, you can get down to fixing, starting with turning off your water supply. Then, cut off any damaged or burst pipes, and install new ones. When installing the new pipes, make sure they match the exact type.

After replacing the faulty pipes, turn the water supply back on and check the walls for leaks. If you don’t find any, patch them up.

2. Repair the Wall

Water-damaged walls tend to become highly porous and lose their structural integrity. So, while you can repair cracks in the walls, there is not much you can do about those sags or blisters.

You can start repairing the drywall by using a leveling tool to check for off-plumb sections. Remember that though there may not be any leak, the new drywall can attract moisture, especially if you try to install it against the wet surface. So, let it dry before putting in the new piece.

3. Take Care of the Mold

When your wall leaks, it can become porous. Porous walls often tend to form molds, and if not resolved quickly, they can spread to the other parts of the house. So, you will need to attend to the mold problem as soon as you fix the leak by scrubbing the walls with a solution of diluted bleach.

Mix chlorine-based bleach with a bucket of water, and using a mop, clean the mold by dipping it into the solution. After cleaning the surface, leave it for about two days to remove the mold and minor water stains.

If you still notice the stains, use a paint scraper and remove the loose paint. Then, sand the surface using sandpaper or another suitable material.

4.Repaint the Wall

Once you finish doing away with the mold, you can proceed to paint the wall. The first step in this process involves applying the primer. As a safety measure, be sure to open the windows.

After covering the entire surface with a coat of primer, you can apply paint of a color of your choice using a roller and brush. However, be sure to paint the walls thoroughly, including their width, making 6- feet square sections. Also, paint overlapping zigzag patterns by making ‘W’ strokes.

Ensure that you cover the surface evenly by rolling across the ceiling and from the bottom to the top.

Finish the job by using an angular paintbrush for those areas that the roller can’t reach, including the corners of the walls, doors, and windows.

5. Clean Up

As the last step, clean the area thoroughly by vacuuming it. Discard the paint cans and wash your clothes, brushes, and other tools using soap and warm water. Also, rinse the rollers and their covers, and let them dry.

Clean all protective gear you were wearing during the process, including boots and gloves. Lastly, get rid of the painter’s tape by slowly and carefully peeling it off at an angle of 45-degrees to prevent damage to the paint.

Peel off the tape as quickly as possible, and don’t leave it for long as it may not come off as quickly.

Conclusion

While you can repair wall water damage by yourself by following the above method, it would still be better to call a professional such as Water Damage Near Me and let them handle the situation. These companies come equipped with all the tools and training necessary for the job.

So, the next time you leak your walls, seek the help of experts such as Water Damage Near Me. Doing so will not only save you the trouble of doing it yourself, but you can also rest assured that they will fix the problem in such a way that it doesn’t occur again.