5 Places Around the House That May Need Drywall Repair
Most homeowners don’t think much about their drywall unless there’s a glaring issue. Indeed, sometimes drywall damage is so sudden and apparent it can’t be missed. Other times, though, your drywall might need repairs without your knowledge. Checking in on your surfaces regularly will cue you into any problems with your drywall that need addressing. You may want to get it even before putting up wallpaper and wall coverings.
Where should you look, though? If you want to cover all your bases, you should inspect all of your drywall. That said, certain areas are more susceptible to drywall damage than others, and should take precedence. Let’s outline five places around the house that may need drywall repair.
Common Places to Repair Drywall
1. Busy Areas
Simply put, more activity equals more potential for damage. The parts of your home that receive the most traffic, such as entryways and exits, children’s rooms, and hallways, are more likely to get scuffed, scratched, or even punctured. Keep an eye on these areas and make efforts to minimize possible hazards.
2. Beneath Wallpaper
Even minor drywall damage has a hard time hiding behind a paint job. If your drywall is covered with wallpaper, however, you’re virtually blind to underlying issues. Should you decide to remove your wallpaper, you might realize that various repairs are necessary, such as drywall crack repair or hole repair. In fact, wallpaper removal itself can lead to drywall damage, especially when performed without proper preparation or technique. If you plan on keeping your wallpaper, just know that you might miss future problems with your drywall.
3. Kitchens and Bathrooms
Impact and pressure aren’t the only causes of drywall damage. Moisture can cause drywall to deteriorate as well. When all is normal, you shouldn’t have to worry about water seeping into your drywall, but if pipes malfunction or leak, or ventilation systems get backed up, you might have a problem. An excess of moisture is more likely to occur in kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms that require plumbing.
4. Basements and Attics
Speaking of moisture, any drywall in the lowest and highest parts of your home should be checked often too. Most basements are surrounded by groundwater. If this moisture isn’t properly managed, it can seep into the drywall and lead to water damage and rot. Attics, while far removed from the ground, can also become damp as warm air rises and gets trapped, often from poor ventilation. One way to mitigate this moisture in both your basement and attic is to install dehumidifiers to capture water vapor. Additionally, investing in a sump pump for your basement is useful for actively removing water from your home.
5. Ceilings
Of all the areas of your home, your ceilings most likely experience the least activity because they’re out of reach. This doesn’t mean drywall ceiling repair will never be necessary, however. Consider that activity from the floors above can have an effect on the ceilings below. Additionally, temperature fluctuations in your home can cause your overhead drywall to bend and crack over time. And, of course, moisture is once again a concern, as gravity can push any excess water from above down into your ceilings. For these reasons, don’t forget to look up every now and then to check for damage.
Need Help Fixing Your Drywall?
Once you’ve located drywall damage, then what? For minor cracks and holes, you can purchase a drywall repair kit and do it yourself. But if you’re not sure of yourself, or you’re dealing with severe damage, call the experts. In addition to our painting services, Anderson Painting delivers quality drywall repair solutions, no matter the size or scope of the damage. For more about us and everything we do, call us today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
