Common Causes For Drywall Damage in your Scarborough Home

Drywall is sturdy and easy to work with, making it the preferred material with which to construct ceilings and walls. Nevertheless, it is not impervious to damage. Drywall services in Scarborough can identify the cause of the problem, which must be resolved before any repairs to the walls or ceiling can take place. Otherwise, you may need to have the same repair performed later. There are many possible causes of drywall damage, but here are some that occur more often than others.

1. Termites

Termites are insects that feed on wood. They don’t damage the drywall directly. Rather, they undermine the structural integrity of the wooden framework of the house to which the drywall is attached. Changes to the drywall may therefore be the first signs of damage that you notice. For example, you may notice the baseboards crumbling or the paint on the drywall bubbling. Small pinholes in the wall are a sign of termite infestation. If the infestation has gone undetected for a while and the damage is extensive, the wall may sound hollow when you knock on it.

If you’ve noticed the signs of infestation early, you can have the drywall repair performed as soon as the termite problem is resolved. On the other hand, if the damage to the underlying structure is extensive, you cannot perform drywall repair until the framework is strong enough to support it.

2. Water Damage

Drywall is a porous material, meaning that it contains small holes that can absorb and retain water. If your plumbing was incorrectly installed or is very old, the pipes may start leaking. You may not be aware of the problem at first, but if the drywall is absorbing the leaking water, you may start to notice it bulging or becoming discoloured. Your first priority should be to find and repair the water leak so that it does not cause further problems. You need to have the drywall repaired or replaced immediately thereafter. Wet drywall can provide an environment for mould to grow, which could undermine the structural integrity of your home and negatively impact your health. Not only that, but water causes drywall to break apart. Water-damaged drywall could therefore pose a safety hazard within your home.

3. Cracking

Cracks in drywall can occur for several reasons. Sometimes the culprit is a water leak or excess moisture that gets into a seam. If you can rule out any leaking pipes, the next place to check is the roof to see if it has any damage that is allowing moisture to get into the house. If the crack is in the ceiling, a roof leak is the most likely culprit.

Sometimes the cause of drywall cracking isn’t the roof at all but the foundation. Over time, the soil on which your house is built can shift, causing the home to gradually sink into the ground. To a certain extent, this is normal, but it can cause damage if the settling is uneven or if the house sinks more than a few inches.

If you notice cracks in your drywall, you should not ignore them. Chances are the cracks will keep getting bigger until you have some major damage on your hands. It may be possible to repair a drywall crack with some joint compound, but you should determine and resolve the underlying problem first to make sure the cracks do not come back.

Drywall Services in Scarborough and More

While damage to drywall is inconvenient, it can alert you to more serious underlying problems that you may not be aware of but that need your urgent attention. Handyman Connection can not only handle drywall repair and replacement but perform most of the necessary home repairs to resolve the larger issues and prevent future damage. Find out more about the services we offer in Scarborough.