What Does Water Damaged Drywall Look Like

Swollen ceilings and floors and buckling wood are common outside signs of subterranean termites.

What does water damaged drywall look like.

In some cases wood shavings may appear and wood will be left looking rather splintered. While drywall is pretty sturdy when it s exposed to water for too long it can get damaged. On the other hand these species of termites get into food sources that are above the ground using mud tunnels. Water damaged drywall wood materials jute wallpaper and cardboard are prone to mold growth when damp.

Termite damage vs water damage. In cases where water damage is not obvious use of a humidity sensor and a moisture meter is recommended. Water damage to a drywall ceiling like gyprock is a bit more complicated to fix than water damage to a plaster ceiling. The wood absorbs the water into the cells within the wood.

Tim carter i can clearly remember past calls from shocked customers who ve lost entire ceilings where without notice the drywall crashes to the floor. Moisture creates a hospitable atmosphere for bacteria and materials such as drywall carpeting and insulation are especially friendly to fungal growth. Water damaged drywall also creates a very favorable medium for the growth of toxic mold. Excess water and moisture gets absorbed in wood drywall insulation and wallpaper which can lead to warping stains bubbling and deterioration.

Since drywall is essentially thick layers of paper or cardboard it can be soaked through much more easily than plaster and is much more absorbent and breaks down quickly when wet. In long term cases wood structures can begin to look warped or bent. If bacteria has had time to set in it means the water spot has been on the ceiling for at least two or three days. Also they smell like mold or mildew.

Depending on what category of water drywall is exposed to and how wet it got you may be able to save it. It may lose its structural integrity becoming soft and weak. Hidden water leaks are dangerous because they can cause serious issues like structural damage and mold growth before they are discovered. Sometimes termite damage looks like water damage.

Speed is critical to avoiding mold damage though. Water damage some times referred to as dry rot or pocket rot comes about when wood is constantly in contact with moisture rain water or the ground. Because it stays wet for an extended time period and the gypsum is porous dormant spores will be activated by water exposure and active mold growth will soon infect the panel both internally and on the external surface of the material. This is often confused for water damage.

Water damaged this ceiling and the ruined drywall was cut out so that new drywall can be installed and finished.