Repairing Water-Damaged Drywall

It is fairly simple to spot drywall that is damaged by water. The walls will be cracked or discolored, and there may be obvious signs of drywall tape hanging off the wall. To the touch, the wall may feel swollen and/or spongy. Depending on the extent of the damage and your comfort with do-it-yourself projects, you may choose to repair the drywall yourself.

For smaller damage that has been done only to the exterior of the drywall due to flooding or another external reason, you may only have to sand down the surface and patch the area. After sanding, cover the affected area with drywall tape and use a putty knife to smooth a lightweight drywall compound over the tape. Let the compound dry, sand the area down until it is smooth, and then re-paint the surface.

If water is leaking from behind the drywall, you will want to Read More…

Basement Water Damage

Basement water damage is the most common form of water damage and a huge source of frustration for many families.  Higher humidity and higher water tables make leaky basements especially prevalent in the Midwestern United States.  Whether dealing with a 1/4″ of water from an overflowed sink or 3 feet of water from a nearby river, we have the information to help you out.

First things first… If the electricity is still on and you have standing water, please leave the house and call a local professional. Some things are just not worth getting shocked to death!

Old and new homes alike both have potential for water problems in the basement.  Early inspection and prevention is the key to a happy dry home.  Since you are on this page, it is most likely too late to talk about prevention!

If you don’t know the source of the basement water, Read More…

Ceiling Damage Repair

Repairing water-damaged ceilings

By the time you realize your ceiling has been damaged by water, it may have become a fairly large problem. Signs to indicate damage include: water dripping from the ceiling, bubbling areas of paint, bowed in sections, and/or moldy, discolored areas. Don’t panic, it may be easier to fix than it looks, especially if you’ve caught the problem early.

Common causes include leaky pipes, flooding by faucets left on, or damage to the roof allowing rain to soak through. If a faucet in an upstairs bathroom was left on, you don’t need to worry about calling anyone in for repairs as it is an isolated incident. For leaky pipes or damage to the roof, get the problem fixed before proceeding with ceiling repairs. If the problem is not fixed, you’ll just be covering it up until it shows through again and possibly causes structural damage to Read More…