Signs and Symptoms of Water Damaged Dry Walls

Drywall is a great product if it stays well … dry. Our customers in Saratoga Springs, NY encounter water damage from leaks of all kinds ranging from snow on a leaky roof damaging a ceiling to plumbing issues that impact walls and floors. The challenge with water damage rebuilds and reconstruction projects that involve drywall is that water damages quickly and the impact of the leak or flood can be more extensive than meets the eye.

How to Spot Drywall Issues:

• Water stains
• Dark rings.
• Discoloration.
• Peeling, bubbling, or cracking of paint or wallpaper.

​​Now that we know what to look for, it's important to note why taking action is needed. Here are some keys to understanding how water damage impacts drywall:

Wet Drywall Loses Structural Integrity

When drywall is exposed to even a little bit of water it can become soft to the touch and crumble easily. Ceilings may collapse and walls become extremely unstable. Depending on the extent of the damage the drywall might be salvageable, but you need to spot the signs quickly to avoid mold damage.

Water Travels Further Than You Think

When you’ve identified water damage in drywall, it’s critical not only to find the source but to make sure everything in between is checked for moisture and mold. Our NYS licensed team members will inspect using penetrating moisture meters to check for moisture on the wall studs and inspect flooring to see if there is any rot in the floor that needs replacement.

What’s a Water Category?

When there’s a leak in your home or business, the source makes a big difference in how you need to address it. Category 1 is clean water that does damage but doesn’t create any health risks beyond the potential for mold growth. Category 2 is called greywater because it’s a little dirtier and comes from non-toilet plumbing systems such as sinks, washing machines, showers, and baths. Blackwater makes up Category 3 and is the worst scenario because it means some type of sewage or toilet leak occurred that likely contains pathogens. All these categories require attention, but as the number gets higher, so does the urgency of calling experts to tackle the problem.

Mold Grows Very Quickly

Once drywall gets wet, it only takes between 24 – 48 hours for mold to begin germinating and growing.  As it spreads inside walls, mold quickly creates serious health concerns. Only a trained professional should handle and remove moldy materials because of the potential health hazards and the risk of spreading spores throughout the house. CleanBright Surface Restoration specializes in mold remediation and removal in residential, commercial and bank foreclosed properties throughout New York's greater Capital Region. Our experienced mold remediators are fully licensed in New York State and trained EPA rules and can help you resolve your mold issues by:

• Working with a NYS licensed mold assessor to identify the signs and symptoms of mold.

• Preparing a mold remediation plan
• Performing the remediation steps need to remove mold from the structure.
• Work with the mold assessor to ensure the remediation process was effective.

CleanBright Surface Restoration is a family-owned business that’s been in the industry for more than 15 years. We offer around-the-clock emergency services and are a NYS licensed mold remediation company. Contact us today to learn more about how we can handle every phase of a restoration, remediation and rebuild project.