What Does Water Damaged Drywall Look Like

Because it stays wet for an extended time period and the gypsum is porous dormant spores will be activated by water exposure and active mold growth will soon infect the panel both internally and on the external surface of the material.

What does water damaged drywall look like.

Termite damage vs water damage. Tim carter i can clearly remember past calls from shocked customers who ve lost entire ceilings where without notice the drywall crashes to the floor. Water damage to a drywall ceiling like gyprock is a bit more complicated to fix than water damage to a plaster ceiling. In some cases wood shavings may appear and wood will be left looking rather splintered.

Hidden water leaks are dangerous because they can cause serious issues like structural damage and mold growth before they are discovered. If bacteria has had time to set in it means the water spot has been on the ceiling for at least two or three days. Since drywall is essentially thick layers of paper or cardboard it can be soaked through much more easily than plaster and is much more absorbent and breaks down quickly when wet. It may lose its structural integrity becoming soft and weak.

Speed is critical to avoiding mold damage though. Moisture creates a hospitable atmosphere for bacteria and materials such as drywall carpeting and insulation are especially friendly to fungal growth. While drywall is pretty sturdy when it s exposed to water for too long it can get damaged. Depending on what category of water drywall is exposed to and how wet it got you may be able to save it.

Water damage some times referred to as dry rot or pocket rot comes about when wood is constantly in contact with moisture rain water or the ground. In long term cases wood structures can begin to look warped or bent. The wood absorbs the water into the cells within the wood. Water damaged this ceiling and the ruined drywall was cut out so that new drywall can be installed and finished.

This is often confused for water damage. Excess water and moisture gets absorbed in wood drywall insulation and wallpaper which can lead to warping stains bubbling and deterioration. Water damaged drywall also creates a very favorable medium for the growth of toxic mold. Also they smell like mold or mildew.

Water damaged drywall wood materials jute wallpaper and cardboard are prone to mold growth when damp. Swollen ceilings and floors and buckling wood are common outside signs of subterranean termites. On the other hand these species of termites get into food sources that are above the ground using mud tunnels. In cases where water damage is not obvious use of a humidity sensor and a moisture meter is recommended.

You ve already learnt how a termite damage looks like.