Should You Replace Wet Drywall Unfortunately it is not limited to Las Vegas. Water damage is actually a fairly common problem across the country with thousands of households experiencing some form of it each month. Drywall is one of the most vulnerable parts of a home during a flood. While drywall is generally quite durable its not fond of water. This article will teach you what to do if your drywall becomes wet and how to determine whether you should end up replacing your wet drywall or not. Dont Have Time to Read It All? Heres a Quick Rundown: Use dehumidifiers and fans to completely dry the damp drywall If the drywall has more than 1% moisture content drying wont work and it should be replaced Consult a certified water damage restoration specialist Signs of Water Damage on Walls Lets say you havent had a disaster such as a sewage backup or an appliance leak thats easy to spot. In some cases homeowners have a hidden leak behind their walls that spills just enough water to cause long-term damage. In that case you should look for signs of water damage on your walls. These are: Paint that is flaking or bubbling Stains usually light brown or gray in color Cracks Stinky odor Mold If you see any of these signs right now its time to sound the alarm. You can try to dry out your wallpaper concrete and drywall but its also important to find and eliminate the source of the moisture. Check out what to do immediately after water damage. How to Fix a Drywall With Water Damage The first step is to locate a moisture source. This shouldnt be too difficult. Look at the pipes behind the damaged areas youve seen. If mold is present implement some mold removal techniques. When you find a leaking pipe turn off the water supply until it is repaired. You can clamp it or use tape to secure it. You could also attach a slip coupling to your pipe. The next step is to test the moisture levels in the drywall. Sometimes your drywall is already so wet that putting in the effort to dry it out will just be a waste of your time. If the drywall is only more than 1% wet it should be replaced. But how do you figure this out? Youll need a moisture meter. Penetrating moisture meters are usually more accurate than non-penetrating moisture meters and they also have more features. If you already have one great; if not keep in mind that they are expensive so we recommend consulting with a professional especially if you dont know what youre doing. Well talk about this later. You can also pry off the baseboards and poke holes in the drywall with a screwdriver. Wet drywall is soft and easily penetrated. If its dry its going to be the opposite tough and not-so-easily penetrated. Its not just ugly to have a wet drywall. A health risk and a threat to structural integrity are also present. Mold can grow on any damp surface in your home and soft and weak drywall can further compromise your propertys stability. So turn on dehumidifiers and fans and set them to work to prevent this. Dehumidifiers will help with drying the entire room while fans are fantastic for concentrating on small damp areas. If you dont already have this equipment consider renting it or borrowing it from a neighbor or family member. To make the space as airtight as feasible tape plastic sheeting over windows and doorways as well. Make sure you use your moisture meter to periodically monitor the process. How Long Does it Take to Dry Out a Drywall It varies. A drywall can typically dry out fully in 3 days but in some circumstances it may take much longer. The scale of the water damage humidity levels and weather will all have an impact on how long it takes to complete your job. However you should begin to notice improvements within the first 24 hours. If not you should contact a specialist. Hire a Las Vegas Water Damage Restoration Company Many homeowners might hit a wall (no pun intended) while working through the procedure. Some people might not know how to repair a leaky pipe while others might have trouble drying. Keep in mind that drying may not always be worthwhile because the drywall may already be too badly damaged to be repaired. Call a water damage restoration company like Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas if you are unsure of what to do. Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas has the know-how required to deal with all types of water damage including drywall damage. Our experts will strategize with you and assist you in determining the best course of action in your particular situation and theyll deal with water damage insurance. Theyre the best at: Water damage restoration Las Vegas Water removal Basement water damage restoration Sewage cleanup Flood damage restoration Fire damage restoration How Much Does Fixing a Wet Drywall Cost Drywall water damage repair work by a professional typically costs between $300 and $800. Well done for taking action; its much better than leaving water damage unattended. However there are times when its best to let the experts handle your property damage problems. Dial 1 (725) 712-3021 to contact Precise Water Damage Restoration of Las Vegas right away! The post Should You Replace Wet Drywall appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV. via Water Damage Restoration Las Vegas NV https://ift.tt/u0iHl3k