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Common Causes of Drywall and How to Prevent Them

Sep 10, 2024 | Commercial

Introduction

Drywalls which are often referred to as gypsum boards or plasterboards are one of the most important construction products of our generation. It is cheap to purchase and also easy to fit, and it comes in many varieties making it ideal to use in the interiors of buildings. Nevertheless, like any other type of construction material, drywall is not beyond damage. Knowing the types of damages that can happen to the drywall and how they can be prevented is crucial since it defines the state of your walls and ceilings. They are common reasons why people may find themselves suffering from drywall water damage problems and ways in which they may avoid them will be discussed in this blog.

Moisture and Water Damage

Hygroscopic loss from water infiltration is at the top when it comes to problems associated with drywall water damage repair. Moisture can be a result of water dripping from a leaking roof, broken pipes or high humidity and can cause drywall to soften and swell before it can crumble. This has ramifications not only for the aesthetics of your walls but for their stability as well.

There is nothing worse than accumulating water damage and one of the ways of avoiding this is to deal with the moisture. In as much as the electrical insulation is a key consideration, a homeowner should also do a routine check allowing them to notice any roof leaks or a problem with the plumbing. There is always a buildup of humidity and moisture so proper ventilation is required especially in the areas like the bathroom and the kitchen. One can also use dehumidifiers which will assist in minimizing the amount of moisture present and this mostly applies to the basements as well as other enclosed areas. Furthermore, special moisture-resistant drywall used in areas exposed to water can make a nice add-on layer of protection.

Poor Installation Practices

Inadequate installation is another common reason why repair water damaged drywalls have problems, either small or big. Another problem associated with the drywalls is if the sheets of the drywalls are not well fixed or the seams of drywalls are not well segregated and mudded then the walls grow cracks and even have bulges at times. Also, applying the wrong type or thickness of the drywall for certain regions causes early deterioration.

Poor installation always leads to various issues and therefore it is crucial to adhere to the right measures and material. Always make sure that drywall sheets are properly fastened to the studs via screwing or nailing them appropriately. Use tape and mud all the seams and joints in a correct manner to make the surface even. Although, in areas where much moisture accumulates, for example, washrooms we can use moisture-resistant drywalls to increase the service life of the walls. Embarking on the hiring of qualified professionals to install home systems such as electricity can also help to cover the common defects arising from poor workmanship.

Settling and Foundation Shifts

People’s homes expand gradually, and when they do this expansion brings the walls closer together and brings one to the conclusion that the crack in the drywall by replace damaged drywall present is as a result of such expansion. Movements in the quality of the subsoil can occur due to changes in the moisture content and this movement puts a lot of pressure on the walls that causes significant cracks and in some cases the seams can open up completely.

To avoid damages due to settlement or movement of the foundation it is essential to protect the surrounding environment of the home. It is important to grade the soil surrounding the structure to enable the provision of slope necessary to avoid water accumulation near the building’s foundation. The regulation of the collection and flow of water such as by installing gutters and downspouts can also help in controlling the movement of soils. Furthermore, one should also be very keen to address any concerns relating to the foundation including cracks or uneven settling to avoid worsening the situation as far as drywall is concerned. Thus, since the inspection of the foundation carries the risk of being costly when done frequently, one should make regular checks on the foundation and fix and repair it when it shows signs of damage.

Impact Damage

Drywall gets damaged mostly through accidental blows especially when furniture is shifted, doors are banged open or when objects are thrown against the wall thus causing dents, holes and other related injuries. Concerning the above impacts, it is important to note that despite their occurrences being inevitable some measures can be taken to further reduce the occurrence.

The following should be avoided to protect the damaged drywalls from impact damages; placing doorstops on the doors so that they do not bang against the wall, installing corner guards in areas of high traffic, especially at corners, and lastly ensuring that we are careful when moving items of furniture. For children, going through free-for-all aggressive play with the kids in the house is also a good starting line for setting rules about indoor play to avoid the children colliding inappropriately. Additional sealing can be done by using insulated wall boards where there are likely to be many impacts such as in corridors and children’s bedrooms.

Temperature and Humidity Fluctuations

The heating and cooling system also greatly affect the movement of the drywalls and therefore create cracks because of the difference in temperature and humidity. This is especially so in areas where climatic conditions are harsh or in households where control of indoor climate is unreliable.

To avoid aggravated effects of high temperature and humidity, try to regulate the inside environment. Air conditioners and heaters can be used to maintain appropriate temperatures while humidifiers or dehumidifiers should be used to control humidity levels to keep the fixing damaged drywalls in good shape. Also, the insulation of homes can diminish the effect of changes in weather conditions on the temperatures in the place. Other preventive measures include tasks such as filling gaps and crevices around windows and doors to avoid drafts and control the internal climate.

Poor Quality Materials

The use of low-quality drywall or any other construction material causes faster degradation of the walls or surfaces and even more vulnerability to damage. Inexpensive drywall, for instance, may not be as robust, or immune to mildew and damage, as better-quality drywall. Before you buy the drywalls, you must use quality ones obtained from reputable shops. Generally, premium drywalls will not develop problems such as sagging, cracking or crumbling. Moreover, there are various speciality drywalls available in the market which can be used for various conditions such as moisture-resist drywalls or fire-resist drywalls etc. Talking to contractors when selecting the appropriate materials for your drywall can be useful towards understanding how to maintain your drywall properly.

Preventive Maintenance Tips

To avoid experiencing fixing water damaged drywall cracks it is important to always maintain the house in the right manner. It is also important to periodically check equipment to notice possible problems which might worsen in future. Avoid any signs of water, stale and musty smells as well as cracks and make sure to repair any fault immediately. It is also important that you repaint or fix small areas of your giant hole in wall that get damaged as soon as you can to be able to sustain the look and structure of your walls.

However, it will also be useful to take more detailed examinations at regular intervals. Doing this behind furniture and in other hard-to-find areas may disclose a lot of problems. There are times when you realize that a particular area is experiencing certain problems repeatedly, for example, cracks or moisture stains and this may well signify a deeper problem that will require the intervention of a structural engineer.

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