Drywall is a popular material used in many homes, but its lack of durability can lead to accidental holes and cracks. Whether it's due to opening the door too hard, moving furniture, children playing, or even termites, it's important to know when drywall needs to be replaced. In some cases, water damage may not require the replacement of the drywall. Depending on the size of the area covered by the damage and also on the extent of the damage, the drywall may simply dry out and be repainted.
Panel discoloration may indicate a leak or a source of moisture that must be addressed, but it is not a cause for concern in and of itself. If the leak is detected in time, the drywall can be saved. However, if the visible bulging, crumbling and, in extreme cases, collapse of the drywall make significant damage evident, then it's likely that you'll need to replace it. This is especially true if the water damage affects a large area.
Humidity is often a problem for Florida homeowners due to excessive humidity, prolific downpours, or tropical storms. Bursting pipes and leaky fittings are also common hazards. Regardless of the source, excess moisture can wreak havoc on drywall. Generalized discoloration, bumps, sagging, musty odors, and mildew are all signs that your drywall may have been irreparably damaged by water.
The priority is to eliminate the source of moisture, but the next step is usually to replace the drywall. Whether water damage to drywall is due to a ceiling leak, air conditioning, flood, or something else, repairing water damage must be done quickly. Unfortunately, drywall is vulnerable to impact breakage and water damage due to its porous gypsum and paper composition. If you notice major discoloration, bumps, sagging, musty or musty smells in your drywall, it may have suffered irreversible water damage. While minor water damage may not seem like a big problem at first, mold and mildew can grow quickly in damp areas of drywall.
