Dealing with Water Damaged Walls

Walls can be one of the parts of a home structure that can be severely affected by water damage or flood water inundation. For one, dry walls, can absorb water and immediately be a good place for mold growth. It can rot easily as well if left untreated.

Wall issues due to water damage can be restored accordingly. (Photo Credits)

So what should a homeowner do when their home walls get water damaged?

The North Dakota State University website published information on how homeowners can deal with water inundating their interior walls. In their write-up, they emphasized that a water damaged wall can be repaired. Super Dry San Diego Flood Restoration Home Page

“The drying time will depend partially on the amount of dry air that can circulate through the studding and wall materials. Plaster and paneling often can be saved, but you need to get air circulating in the wall cavities to dry the studs and sills. Remove drywall, laminated paneling and plaster to at least the level the floodwaters reached. You may need to remove more drywall and paneling because it can warp above the water level. You may be able to drain plaster walls adequately by removing the baseboard and breaking out plaster and lath at the bottom of the wall. The baseboard can cover the openings later. You may salvage some paneling if it is allowed to dry slowly. Remove the baseboard from the paneled walls and pry off individual sheets of paneling. Prop the sheets against the wall to dry. However, don’t let them dry in sunlight because they could warp.”

The continuation can be found here.

Act Immediately

A water damaged wall should never be left untreated. In its website, WikiHow came up with a guide on dealing with water damaged home interiors. One of the points they emphasized is to remove moisture from the walls and ceilings as soon as it is safe to do so. Fire Inspection Services

“Remove moisture from walls and ceilings. If the wall has been water damaged by a flood, you will need to remove all of the wet material, including insulation, wood by-products, and anything else porous. (1) Drywall is incredibly porous and should be replaced at the soonest sign of water damage. (2) Remove the wallboard to a foot above the watermark. (3) You can drain walls by removing the baseboard and drilling holes into the floor. (4) Make sure to check the interior of the wall for any hidden mold growth.”

Take a look at WikiHow’s original post here.

Dealing with Stains on the Wall

FamilyEducation.com also published in its website its share of tips for households who may be dealing with water damaged interiors. In their write-up they mentioned that water damage can also cause stains on the walls. In this light, they shared some ways on dealing with this discoloration. Home Maintenance Work that Helps Prevent Water Damage

“Water damage typically causes streaks and blotches on walls and ceilings that range in color from dark yellow to brown. They’re caused by substances in the drywall or plaster that have leached to the surface. If the surfaces themselves aren’t damaged, you can paint over these stains. But you’ll need to seal the area first to prevent further leaching. Wash the area with either a detergent solution or a product designed for cleaning paint. Trisodium phosphate or TSP works well. (For more on TSP, turn to Dealing with Mold). Try to remove as much of the stain as you can without soaking the surface. Let the area dry for a couple of days. Next, apply a stain-blocker primer or sealer. You can find it at paint, hardware, and home improvement stores. When it’s dry, go ahead and paint.”

Take a look at the rest of their advice here.

Water damaged walls should be treated immediately to avoid further damage and repair expenses. If the damage is extensive, or if unsure of how to go about the repair, it will be best to seek the help of restoration professionals. Yoga Studios in Mission Valley

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