Restoration Myths Busted: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
February 1, 2025
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When people think about the walls in their home, they tend to assume that those walls are safe. However, no wall is impervious to all forms of damage, especially drywall. From everyday accidents to acts of nature, there are numerous ways in which drywall can become heavily damaged.
Water- This is one of the most common causes of severe drywall damage in the home, especially in the bathroom. Whether the origin of the water is a leak, excessive moisture in the air, or a full-blown flood, water can be a serious problem. Drywall that has been exposed to excessive moisture can begin to sag, warp, or even grow mold, another severe problem.
Whether or not you have to replace drywall after it has been exposed to water depends on several factors:
Physical Impact- Sometimes, a wall in the home might be subjected to a physical impact. Whether it is the result of a cabinet falling over and hitting the wall or an accident that happened while nailing a new painting to the wall, you have an unsightly hole where a nice, pristine wall used to be.
The process for fixing a hole in drywall depends on the size of the hole. For very small holes, such as nail holes, a small amount of joint compound (or “mud”) can be spread over the hole, then smoothed out with a putty knife, sanded down, and painted over to match the existing wall. Larger holes will require the use of a patch, or even the replacement of that section of drywall as necessary.
Fire Damage- The paper that forms the outside layer of most drywall is highly flammable. When exposed to a flame, this paper will burn off, and the interior of the drywall will crumble. Even if the drywall does not crumble from the fire, there can be smoke damage to the wall which needs to be addressed.
You may need to replace fire-damaged drywall depending on:
Mold- This is perhaps one of the hardest forms of damage to detect. Commonly caused by excessive moisture exposure, mold can grow unseen in a wall for months before the problem becomes readily apparent to the naked eye. Once mold has taken root in your drywall, it can remain even if you dry out the drywall later. Mold can destroy the drywall from the inside, and even pose a significant health risk to you and your family if left untreated for too long.
Indications that you have excessive mold in your drywall include chronic respiratory problems and irritation of the skin and eyes. As mold spores propagate, they enter the air of your home and can be breathed in by your family, causing the above health problems. Other signs that you have a mold infestation in your drywall are similar to the symptoms of excessive moisture (too much moisture does contributes to mold growth, after all), such as sagging or warps in the drywall, or discoloration.
If your drywall has mold growing in it, you will probably need to remove and replace any and all affected sections of drywall. Black mold in particular poses a severe health hazard, and has been known to cause medical complications severe enough to result in death. As such, when dealing with mold, it is important to wear the appropriate protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and a protective mask that covers the mouth and nose to prevent mold inhalation.
In most cases, your need to replace the drywall is largely dependent on the extent of the damage. For small holes from nails or pin, the damage can be addressed using only a small amount of joint compound, a sander, and some paint without having to replace the drywall.
If your drywall has been exposed to excessive water, you may not necessarily have to remove and replace it if you can get to the affected section of drywall quickly enough. If the source of the water is external, you may be able to clean up the excess water before the drywall absorbs too much.
First, open up the air circulation in the affected rooms. Open up the windows, turn on the fans (assuming you can do so without risking exposing electricity to water), and let the air flow out of the room. This will reduce the overall moisture in the air and make drying the drywall faster and easier.
Next, blot spills with a dry towel. If the drywall has absorbed a lot of water, you will need to be very careful to avoid causing more damage. Do not apply too much pressure to the affected section of wall, or else you could end up punching a hole into the wall you are trying to fix.
If, after the drying process is complete, the drywall is warped, then you will most likely have to replace the drywall.
Hopefully, you will be able to remove the moisture before the drywall begins to grow mold. As mentioned before, once mold takes hold in drywall, it can still persist even after the drywall has been dried out.
If your drywall has been exposed to smoke damage, you may be able to mitigate the damage. Ehow.com has a fairly comprehensive step-by-step process for repairing smoke damage to drywall, but here are a few quick tips:
If you need further advice about how to deal with drywall damage, or want the services of a flood and fire damage restoration expert, contact us right away. Time is of the essence when dealing with damage to the home, especially when it comes to preventing the onset of mold. Don’t wait until it is too late to save your home from mold and other hazards, get your home restoration started right away.
Most home insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from burst pipes. Check your policy details for specific coverage.
Yes, a broken water heater can lead to a high electric bill. If it's not heating water efficiently, a broken water heater may consume more energy and increase your utility bill.
Yes, if you have a broken water heater, it can potentially lead to carbon monoxide leaks. If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, call us for an emergency response.
While minor leaks can be fixed with DIY methods, it's advisable to consult a professional restoration company, like Accutech Restoration & Remodeling, for significant damage to ensure proper repair and prevent future issues.
Yes, mold can grow under tiles if there is constant moisture or water damage.
Yes, water can seep through grout lines if they are cracked or improperly sealed. You may contact us for help with water leaks and bathroom floor water damage.
Yes, Accutech Restoration & Remodeling offers expert guidance through the entire insurance claim process. Our team will assist you through the process to ensure you receive fair compensation for the damage. When Accutech technicians arrive on-site at your home or business, we will conduct a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the damage.
We document the damage with a plethora of photographic and videographic evidence and create detailed reports outlining the damage, what needs to be done, and the estimated cost. Our team will handle all communication with your insurance company, reducing the headache and hassle of you being the middleman. We'll submit all documentation, invoices, and payments directly to your insurer, ensuring everything aligns with your policy coverage. Accutech is here to advocate on your behalf if any disputes or discrepancies arise during the claim process.
In some cases, your insurance policy may not cover the damage, and our team will help you understand what is and is not covered, along with providing you with the steps you should take next.
Yes, we can remove mold from carpets affected by water damage. We use specialized cleaning techniques to prevent health risks.
Yes, we work with all major insurance companies and assist you throughout the claims process.
Homeowners' insurance typically covers water damage caused by a water heater leak or broken water heater, but it may not cover the cost of repairing or replacing the heater itself. You may contact us for help navigating your insurance claim.
February 1, 2025
January 1, 2025
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